The Asian Age

Samsung Knox: All that you need to know

Knox verifies the integrity of device through security checks

- FRANCIS D'SA

If you think your Android smartphone­s are safe as far as your data is concerned, think twice. Billions of Android smartphone­s out there are vulnerable to hackers and remote attacks. Your data is never safe, especially when you download apps from third- party sources. Sadly, there are still a bunch of snooping apps that contain adware and malware still on the official app store, which are being detected and taken down by Google. While it is very difficult for a common user to detect any threat from regular apps, it is certainly not as difficult to stay safe.

There are many security apps out there that can help you detect and fight malware apps. However, there seems to be no confirmati­on if they can help detect, block and eradicate the said threats, since hackers are getting smarter to bypass these security apps. The only method to make your Android smartphone safe and foolproof is to make sure the protection is from the operating system layer. Apple’s iOS is comparativ­ely very safe, and works on the sandboxing principle, but Android smartphone brands fail to provide this secure layer to their consumers. The main reason is increased costs involved in the bargain.

But if you wish to ensure that your data is safe, you should take a look at Samsung’s Android smartphone­s that provide this sandboxing feature — called Knox. Every Samsung Galaxy smartphone out there comes with Samsung’s Knox. The Knox layer is a military defense- grade security system that helps protect your smartphone from malware and remote attacks. This mobile security system from the chip up is trusted by many government­s worldwide.

WHAT IS KNOX?

Knox is a multi- layered platform built into both the hardware and software of Samsung’s latest devices. Knox constantly verifies the integrity of the device through a chain of security checks that begin at the platform level and extend to the operating system, and detects any tampering to ensure your data is always secure. This secure system can be used for all users — be it a common daily smartphone user to enterprise- level r e q u i r e m e n t s . Samsung’s Knox platform is built into their smartphone­s, tablets, and wearables at the manufactur­ing stage itself.

Knox is actually beneficial in an enterprise environmen­t where the administra­tors can use it to keep business and personal data separate and secure, ensuring that no threat is caused by an unknown applicatio­n or a potential user to the business data. In short, what you do in your personal space on your phone, cannot be sent or pushed to the business layer, and vice versa, to ensure that data is safe and not leaked out.

Hence, the isolation on the two layers makes it easier for companies to manage and monitor their data’s safety. Since the employees will surely be using the smartphone at home and on insecure wireless connection­s around the world, it is necessary that businesses isolate that behavior. In short, employees can use a common device for both their business and personal needs, and Samsung’s Knox is a technology that allows business and personal data to securely coexist on the same handset.

WHY IS KNOX IMPORTANT?

Samsung’s Knox helps companies ensure that the devices used by employees have isolated personal and business data environmen­ts to prevent sensitive company informatio­n if the risk of loss or theft.

HOW DOES THIS FUNCTION?

A simple press on the Samsung Knox icon on a compatible Samsung Android smartphone will automatica­lly switch between personal and business modes, and allows to seamlessly navigate between the encrypted content. No need to reboot the device There are a plethora of Samsung devices that support Knox. Samsung’s smartphone­s, tablets, and watches are supported. Here is a complete list of devices from Samsung that feature Knox support.

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