Google's Android operating system is without a doubt one of the best things that happened in the mobile world but due to that fact that it is difficult to release updates, it has been constantly on the bad side of criticism.
That is why the search engine giant, together with Android phone vendors, decided to introduce a new approach on how the updates are being delivered to Android phones in times where sophisticated threats are on the rise.
According to a published report by Tech Republic, Google released an announcement confirming that by August 5th, this year, the Nexus devices, specifically the Nexus 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and Player will be receiving monthly security updates, in order to tackle the growing popularity of the virus scare for Android phones, particularly the Stagefright hack.
As a matter of fact, Google has recently released a patch, which includes a fix to the Stagefright vulnerability of their Android phones.
In addition, Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung, also announced that they will follow Google's lead in releasing updates, on a monthly basis, for their devices, in order to take care the growing worry of their market base about the hack.
In related news, the Stagefright hack gained popularity in the mobile world, when it was announced that the virus has the potential to affect at least 950 Android users, across the globe, Android Central reported.
For those who don't know, the hack has the capability to dwell inside the phone without any traces or clues. The Stagefright hack only needs a single malicious MMS (text message) in order to penetrate the Android phone and perform the hack.
Since the hack can make the device a Trojan horse, there is no way possible for owners to check if their android phone is being hacked.
However, the first step in defending against the hack is to see if the phone is infected or not, Digital Trends points out. And one simple trick to know if a device is infected is to through an app developed by Zimperium.
Simply download and install the Stagefright Director app. After installation, launch the app and it will go through the common list of vulnerabilities and exposures that impacts the device. After the process, the app will tell the owner if the device is hacked or not.
The tech website also provided a simple step to avoid the hack, since google hangouts and messenger auto download videos, it is best to disable the phones "Auto retrieve MMS" settings.It also cited the importance of the updates that Google, Android, manufacturers, and service providers are releasing, most especially, the updates for security features of the device.
Nonetheless, Google and the phone vendors' move to change the way they approach security issues with their devices is a good step in making sure that their customers are being taken cared off.
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