Just when you thought you had safeguarded your mobile device from any misuse, a new threat emerges.
For Android users, it’s a big one. Rapid7 has recently discovered a security bug that allows cyber criminals to access a smartphone user’s data.
Although this security problem is widespread, Google has responded that it will take no action to fix it. The bug exists in phones operating on Android 4.3 and below, and allows hackers to control your smartphone.
Although Android 4.4 and 5.0 users are not vulnerable to this risk, this issue affects approximately 60 percent of Android users – almost a billion people worldwide.
Google’s official response is that their policy is not to develop fixes for older software versions, but it can notify people of the risk and others are welcome to create their own fixes.
To date, there are no known patches to address this issue. There is, however, one way to ensure your safety if you possess an affected smartphone. Simply download and install a newer version of the operating software.