Google and Samsung have both announced they are taking measures focused on the security of Android devices, with both companies to issue monthly security updates.The respective announcements come in the wake of the recent disclosure of the Stagefright vulnerability affecting Android devices, with mobile security company Zimperium having found 95 per cent of Android devices could be at risk.
Zimperium found that attackers would only need the user’s mobile number, with which they could remotely execute a code via a specially crafted media file delivered via MMS.
Google has advised that from this week on, in addition to the usual platform updates, Nexus devices will receive regular over the air updates each month focused on security.
“The first security update of this kind began rolling out today, Wednesday August 5th, to Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Nexus 10 and Nexus Player,” Google stated via the Android Official Blog.
“This security update contains fixes for issues in bulletins provided to partners through July 2015, including fixes for the libStageFright issues.”
Google states Nexus devices will continue to receive major updates for at least two years from initial availability and security patches for the longer of three years, or 18 months from last sale of the device via the Google Store.
Samsung stated it has recently fast-tracked security updates to Galaxy devices with the Android Stagefright issues, working with carriers and partners, in announcing its new Android security update process, with security updates to take place about once a month.
“With the recent security issues, we have been rethinking the approach to getting security updates to our devices in a more timely manner,” Dong Jin Koh, executive vice president and head of Mobile Research and Development Office, IT & Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics, commented.
“Since software is constantly exploited in new ways, developing a fast response process to deliver security patches to our devices is critical to keep them protected. We believe that this new process will vastly improve the security of our devices and will aim to provide the best mobile experience possible for our users.”
Samsung stated it is currently in conversation with carriers around the world to implement its new approach.
