1 Billion Vulnerable Android Devices: What To Do To Protect Your Data - Screen Rant

More than one billion Android devices are thought to be vulnerable to hackers. While more Android devices are sold compared to iOS, it has an update problem that’s putting plenty of device owners at risk.

One of Android’s biggest selling points is that it encourages choice. This results in smartphone buyers having the option to purchase the device that best suits their needs, and at a price that matches their budget. However, one of the major downsides with the open approach taken by Google is that with many chefs in the kitchen, updates are not always on the menu.

Related: Every Phone You Can Play Google Stadia On

Continue scrolling to keep reading Click the button below to start this article in quick view.

Based on calculations by Which?, 40 percent of all Android devices are no longer receiving “vital security updates from Google." The UK consumer affairs group used this percentage to highlight that more than one billion Android devices are at a heightened risk of various security issues, including data theft and malware. Further adding to the issue, the affected devices are not necessarily old devices, with models from brands like Motorola, Samsung, Sony and LG some still being sold through online marketplaces, including Amazon.

Here's What Affected Device Owners Can Do

Anyone currently in the market for a new device would be wise to take into consideration the likelihood of updates before purchasing. However, for those that already own one of these devices, there are still some things you can do to limit the impact of no security updates. The first is to decide whether the device is actually worth the risk of keeping or whether it is time to upgrade. As Which? points out, the older the version of Android running on a device, the greater the risk to begin with. While the newest version is Android 11, the most recently released is Android 10, and the lower the Android version number the more at risk the device could be. Owners can check their device’s current version (as well as whether there are any updates available) through the device’s settings, and usually within the "System" or "About" sections, although this may vary depending on the device.

Irrespective of the current Android version, if opting to keep hold of the device, then one precaution that might be worth taking is installing antivirus. This alone could be the difference between protecting a device and having it compromised without knowing - as long as it is not the antivirus that compromises the device. Additionally, being more aware in general of how the phone is used can also go a long way to increasing device (and data) security. For example, avoid clicking on internet or email links that look suspicious. Likewise, avoid downloading apps and content from unknown sources. With bad links and downloads being two of the most common ways hackers attack older and non-supported devices, limiting access to both of these will help to reduce the chances of an Android device becoming infected or compromised.

More: Law Enforcement Can Track Your Phone Without You Knowing, Here's How

Source: Which?

Email

Star Trek: Picard Finally Gave Us The Riker TNG's Movies Never Did

Related Topics

About The Author

John has been writing for the internet since 2014 with a focus on the line where technology meets the movie and TV industry. You may have read some of his previous work under the pen name John Anon. John is a Psychology graduate from England who now lives in the U.S. Prior to the move to writing online, John worked in the airline industry as an airline reviewer. After moving to the U.S., John’s reviews shifted from airlines to smartphones, streaming devices and TV-related services. John now enjoys the fact that he gets to combine two of his favorite hobbies - technology and movies. John’s favorite movie genres largely boil down to horror, Sci-Fi, thriller and just about any movie with an ensemble cast. For some reason, especially those set on a plane, train, boat or any other isolated location that also happens to be moving. The best place to follow John is on Twitter.

More About John Finn

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"Android" - Google News
March 08, 2020 at 10:08PM
https://ift.tt/32ZBm8V

1 Billion Vulnerable Android Devices: What To Do To Protect Your Data - Screen Rant
"Android" - Google News
https://ift.tt/336ZsND
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Bagikan Berita Ini