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Researcher finds Android zero-day vulnerability impacting Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy S22, and more
A security researcher has found a zero-day security vulnerability in Linux kernel that compromises the Google Pixel 6 and others phones.
Android security has come a long way in recent years. The fostering of monthly security patches has kept hundreds of threats at bay, while Google Play Protect is there to bar malware from the Play Store. However, there are still instances where rogue actors can exploit vulnerabilities hidden within in Android's code for nefarious purposes. Zhenpeng Lin, a security researcher and Northwestern University PhD student, recently discovered such a vulnerability on the Google Pixel 6, and you may be at risk even after installing the latest July 2022 security update.
Google rebrands Android security to 'Protected by Android'
It looks like Google is rebranding its security segment. A new video has introduces the "Protected by Android" slogan.
It appears that Google has started a new campaign to emphasize just how secure Android really is. In the new advert, which popped up on YouTube, the company has rebranded its slogan, choosing to go with "Protected by Android".
Google blocked 1.2 million privacy-violating apps from the Play Store in 2021
Google has highlighted all the changes it introduced last year to protect Android users from malicious apps and developers on the Play Store
In a bid to provide Android users a safer experience on the Play Store, Google made a ton of changes over the last year. The company has highlighted some of these changes in a recent blog post and explained how they protect users from malicious apps and developers on the Play Store.
PSA: Dirty Pipe, the Linux kernel root vulnerability, can be abused on the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Google Pixel 6 Pro
The infamous "Dirty Pipe" vulnerability can be exploited on the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Google Pixel 6 Pro to gain root shell access.
What happens when a Linux privilege-escalation vulnerability that also affects Android gets disclosed publicly? You got it! Security researchers and Android enthusiasts around the world try to take advantage of the newly found problem to create an exploit, which can be used to gain advanced access to your device (such as root or the ability to flash custom images). On the other hand, device makers and a few determined third-party developers quickly take the responsibility to patch the backdoor as soon as possible.
Linux kernel bug dubbed 'Dirty Pipe' can lead to root access, affects Android devices as well
Dirty Pipe is a newly discovered Linux flaw that can be exploited to gain root access. The bug also affects certain Android phones. Read on!
One of the strongest points of the Linux kernel has primarily been its open source nature, which allows stakeholders to fork, modify and redistribute it in a way that suits their particular needs. But this very advantage of being open source acts like a double-edged sword when it comes to the existence of unpatched security vulnerabilities and corresponding exploitable scenarios. While developers and big name OEMs are hard at work enhancing the overall security of the Linux ecosystem (which also includes Android), new vulnerabilities and exploits keep popping up and slipping under the radar. The mistake this time seems to be quite serious, unfortunately.
March 2022 Android security update rolls out alongside Android 12L to supported Pixel phones
The March 2022 Android security update is here, and it's rolling out alongside Android 12L to supported Pixel devices. Check it out!
Another month, another security patch. Like clockwork on the first Monday of each month, the latest Android security patch is now available. It should start arriving on third-party devices soon, and it’s rolling out now to all supported Pixel devices. The Google Pixel 6 series is yet again behind the rest of the pack, after a couple of months of inconsistent releases for Google's latest flagship series. What's more, this is also a Pixel feature drop update and brings with it the final stable release of Android 12L.
Finding randomly installed apps on your phone? Blame it on ads
Apps can be installed without your consent on some smartphones, all thanks to ads. It seems to be thanks to DT Ignite, too.
Ads are pretty annoying, and a lot of games and apps are packed full of advertisements rather than offering a paid alternative. However, users are now reporting that some ads can bypass the Google Play Store to install apps on your smartphone without your consent. This is bad for obvious reasons, and advertisements should never be able to escape their own sandbox to interact with the rest of the smartphone.
Here's how often your Xiaomi phone will get security updates
Xiaomi has shared an updated Android security update schedule for Mi, Redmi, and POCO devices. Here's how often your phone will get security updates.
Xiaomi has shared an updated security updates schedule for its vast portfolio of Mi, Redmi, and POCO devices. The schedule highlights how often your Xiaomi device will receive Android security patches by Google, along with patches for Xiaomi-specific issues. Check out the section below to find out how often your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone will get security updates:
Does your Android smartphone need an antivirus app?
Worried about adwares, malwares, and other types of viruses? We explain whether you need an antivirus or not on your Android phone.
Android is not just the biggest mobile operating system in the world, it's the biggest OS -- period. Such a large user base makes it a juicy target for cyber-criminals, which is why there are often reports about Android malware, adware, and other not-so-nice things. Such reports make people afraid and they rush to the one thing we've all grown up hearing about -- an antivirus app. But do you really need an antivirus on Android, or are Android’s built-in protections enough?
Samsung phones with May 2021 security update are protected from Qualcomm's modem vulnerability
Samsung today confirmed that all Galaxy phones with the May 2021 security update are protected from the recently disclosed Qualcomm modem vulnerability.
Israeli security firm Check Point Research recently disclosed a flaw in Qualcomm's Mobile Station Modem that affects millions of Android phones worldwide. According to the firm, attackers can exploit this flaw to gain access to your text messages and phone calls, and even unlock your SIM card in some cases.
Qualcomm modem flaw affects 30% of all phones; lets attackers record phone calls
Security researchers have discovered a new flaw in Qualcomm's Mobile Station Modem that affects around 30% of all Android phones.
Israeli security firm Check Point Research has discovered a flaw in Qualcomm's Mobile Station Modem that affects millions of Android phones worldwide. The firm claims that hackers can exploit the vulnerability and gain access to your text messages, phone calls and, in some cases, even unlock your SIM card.
Google pushes the May 2021 security update to Pixel phones
Google has published the May 2021 Security Update Bulletin, and has also started rolling out new updates to supported Pixel devices.
Google has published the May 2021 Security Update Bulletin, and has also started rolling out new updates to supported Pixel devices.
Android’s April 2021 security update bulletin is now live
Google has published the Android Security Bulletin for April 2021 and begun rolling out new updates to supported Pixel phones.
It's the first Monday of a new month, which means it's time for another Android Security Update Bulletin. Today, Google has published the April 2021 Security Update Bulletin and has started rolling out new updates to supported Pixel phones.
Android's March 2021 security update is now official
Google has published the Android Security Bulletin for March 2021 and is rolling out the March 2021 security update to Pixel phones.
Today is Monday, March 1, which means it's time for another security patch update. Right on schedule, Google published the Android Security Bulletin for March 2021. They also published the latest Pixel Update Bulletin which details the latest functional updates coming to supported Pixel phones in the update rolling out today. Meanwhile, multiple Samsung Galaxy phones have already received the March 2021 security update.
March Pixel Feature Drop includes Smart Compose and Recorder cloud backup
Google has made it a habit to drop new Pixel features throughout the year, and the search giant has back with another big update.
Google has made it a habit to drop new Pixel features throughout the year, and the search giant is back with another big update. The features arrive following an update in December that saw Google introduce Adaptive Sound, new Google Photos suggestions, and more. The latest Pixel Feature Drop is available beginning today.
Here's why you should be wary of installing anything that sets SELinux to permissive
An undocumented Android feature allows any arbitrary app to gain root access on a permissive SELinux environment. Read on to know more!
In the world of Android modding, people tend to regard root access as the cornerstone of all things. It allows users to take complete control of their devices and add features that aren't always available in the stock configuration. But as they say — "with great power comes great responsibility" — it's not wise to bypass Android's security model unless you know what you're getting into. For veteran Android enthusiasts on our forums, you are probably aware of the potential for backdoors to exist on your device, and you are more likely to be running a trusted root-enabled mod on top of the latest Android version with the latest security patches. Having said that, you might know a few people who don’t really care about what root tweaks they install so long as they seemingly work for them. This is why you can still find a truckload of mods that only work when SELinux is set to permissive, which, in turn, leave their users extremely susceptible to security threats.
Google paid out over $6.7 million in bug bounty rewards last year
In 2020, Google paid over $6.7 million to security researchers around the world for reporting security vulnerabilities in Google products.
Google shelled out a record $6.7 million in bug bounty rewards in 2020, breaking the last year’s record when the company paid $6.5 million for the same cause, the search giant revealed in a blog post. The single highest reward was $132,500, with 662 security researchers paid across 62 countries.
The February 2021 security update is here, and it's already available for the Galaxy S20 and Note 20
Right after the February 2021 Android Security Bulletin went public, the update rolled out for Google Pixel, Galaxy S20, and Galaxy Note 20.
It's the first Monday of the month, which means it's time for another security update. Google today published the February 2021 Android Security Bulletin, and with it, the February 2021 security update for Pixel phones. Google's Pixel phones aren't the only devices getting the update today, though, as Samsung followed Google's announcement by pushing an update to its Snapdragon Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 series devices.
The first security update of 2021 is rolling out for Google Pixel and some Samsung Galaxy phones
Google is rolling out the January 2021 Android security patches to the Pixel series. Samsung Galaxy S20 and Galaxy 9 also receive the same.
Google is kicking off the first week of 2021 with a new set of monthly Android security patches. This month is notable because it marks the beginning of monthly updates without the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (RIP!). We've still got patches for the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 3, and the Pixel 3 XL, though. Moreover, Samsung is rolling out new updates to the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S9 series in select regions, bringing this same Security Patch Level (SPL).
November 2020 Android security update rolling out for Google Pixel and some Samsung Galaxy phones
Google is rolling out November 2020 Android security patches to the Pixel series. Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Note 10, and S10 receive it as well.
Another month is in the books, which means it’s time for the latest batch of Android security patches. Google has published the Android Security Bulletin for the month of November and is also rolling out the update to the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 3, and the Pixel 3 XL. Samsung is also rolling out new updates to the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 10, and the Galaxy S10 series in select regions, bringing in this same Security Patch Level (SPL).