THE ANDROID FIX YOU NEED NOW!

And what to do if your phone can’t get it

Google has issued an important update designed to protect Android devices against dozens of recently uncovered security flaws, including the so-called Quadrooter threat that we reported on in Issue 483 (see Protect Your Tech, page 16).

Quadrooter is a result of four distinct security vulnerabilities found in the Qualcomm processors used in many popular Android devices, including Google Nexus and Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. It’s estimated that up to 900 million devices could be affected. Exploiting any one of the four Qualcomm vulnerabilities gives hackers root access to your device, meaning they can control it, view and gather private information, and even record sound and video.

Two of the Qualcomm vulnerabilities have already been fixed by updates, but Google claims the new update will remedy the remaining flaws on affected devices.

Google has already started rolling out the patch to users of Nexus devices, who are being advised to install it as soon as possible.

Currently, however it’s not known when – or indeed if – owners of affected devices from other manufacturers will receive the fix. You can check to see whether your device is among the models that are vulnerable by running the free Quadroot Scanner app ( www. snipca.com/21432).

If it is at risk, contact your phone’s manufacturer or your mobile network provider and ask when they plan to issue the patch for your device. In the meantime, make sure your device is set to receive automatic updates and don’t install apps from anywhere other than Google Play. Quadrooter – as with many other Android threats – infects devices via malicious apps installed from unsecure sources.

For a full report on all the security flaws addressed by the new update, check Google’s security bulletin at www.snipca.com/21807.