Over 600 million Samsung mobile phone users have been disturbed by a major security hazard on main Samsung phone models, with the newly released Galaxy S6. The threat comes from a pre-installed keyboard that tolerates hackers to implement code as a restricted user remotely.
A connection with Samsung's Android keyboard built-in on over 600 million devices worldwide could let hackers regulate smartphone or tablet. The security tap spins around the update tool of the integrated keyboard. It then observes for language updates for trending keywords every day or by weeks.
In an article from The Guardian, the trick was found out by NowSecure last year. They informed Samsung about it at the end of the year. Samsung requested NowSecure to keep the bug a secret until they solve it. The Android security team was also acquainted.
Nonetheless, six months after, it is still uncertain whether the problem is patched up. Samsung has started resolving the security issue early this year, nonetheless contrasting Apple's software updates, is bound to mobile phone suppliers to urge updates to users. Up to now, it is undetermined if that has taken place and to what extent the users have restored their devices.
NowSecure had sneaked what a hacker can acquire in your phone once the keyboard is persecuted: subtle personal information like pictures and messages can be obtained by the hacker, admission to sensors like GPS, camera, microphone can easily be tracked, plus malevolent applications can also be installed without the consent from the user. Moreover, the hacker can interfere with how other apps and phones functions. Lastly, they can spy on voice calls as well as incoming/outgoing messages.
Accordingly, Samsung relayed its own version of SwiftKey, an Android keyboard. The developers have specified that the bug does not exist in their own code, so Samsung generated and circulated the fault, told by Extreme Tech.
As a final point, there is nothing you can do to end this security slum if you own a Samsung device. Rummaging the phone to get rid of the keyboard is an alternative. But on the whole, everyone is trapped by it.
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