Technology
Google warns BILLIONS of Android users to fix their phones today in ‘critical’ alert
ANDROID users have been advised to update their phones to fix two “critical” vulnerabilities.
The Google-run operating system has raced to patch several high severity bugs too.
GettyGoogle encourages all users to keep their Android devices up-to-date[/caption]
Fortunately the most serious two of the pack don’t appear to have been used by hackers.
The first only affects people using the most recent version of Android, 12, while the second only applies to phones with a Qualcomm chip.
But external experts found the vulnerabilities before scammers had a chance, meaning the risk is low if you update now.
Google keeps the specifics limited so hackers don’t know where to look for their next attack.
It’s also to give smartphone manufacturers enough time to implement the fix on their devices.
In total, the tech giant has fixed 30 high risk threats this time round.
Most read in News Tech
“Exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform,” Google said.
“We encourage all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible.
“The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.”
It’s important to remember software support on Android only runs for the three most recent versions – 10, 11 and 12.
So if you’re using a device with an older version of Android, you won’t be protected.
Given the security risk, you should probably consider getting an upgrade.
GettyTwo of the bugs are deemed “critical”[/caption]
In other news, Apple has revealed a bunch of new emoji for iPhone, including a pregnant man and two saucy symbols.
Experts have warned that future space launches could be jeopardised if “stupid” regimes like Russia don’t stop blasting the skies creating debris.
And the most popular phone since the millennium has been unveiled, with many shocked to find out it’s not an iPhone.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk