MOBILE technology experts are putting out a security alert to millions of smartphone users.
It follows a recent report from that has highlighted a potential risk that individuals with an could be facing.
In the report, it is suggested that there are greater security measures in place on phones running or newer, particularly for sensitive like those used for banking, finance or secure enterprise.
Additionally, the system of new Android versions may also start requiring devices to have received a security update within the past year to allow them to function.
This includes key functions in operating banking apps, or transferring money, which might get blocked.
Smartphone updates therefore prove to not only be a mechanism for updating features, but also essential fixes for security holes that have been found in Android.
It makes them safer from and other bad actors who hunt for these , who particularly focus on banking and finance apps.
Compromised apps, which may have unpatched vulnerability on older phones, enable to slip in malware which can steal passwords, watch what you are typing or even make transfers without you knowing.
These updates should therefore also be done regularly.
By Google implementing a requirement for Androids to have recent patches on phones, it is attempting to establish a stronger base line of security for users’ sensitive applications and information.
The Phone Arena says: “To be on the safe side, if your Android device is currently running Android 12, Android 12L or lower, updating the OS toAndroid 13or newer is one of the most secure things you can do.
“If this is the scenario you are left with, another option is to just go ahead and shell out the money to buy a new Android handset.”;
They report that one-third of active Android phones are susceptible attacks as they have “completely lost support”; from Google.
This is with the 200 million users who are out there with a Android 12 or Android 12L powered device, that have reached end-of-life status.
Phone Arena’s mobile technology experts also warn that phones stuck on Android 10, 11 or 12 cannot pass new security checks because manufacturers are not even send out fixes for them anymore.
“They aren’t just missing recent patches; they stopped getting any security patches quite some time ago, maybe months or even years back.”;
On top of that is the fact that “millions upon millions of olderAndroid phonesare already well past their security update cutoff date.”;
This comes after another revealed cyber flaws in Android last month.
It found 62 flaws in the Android update for April, with two being actively exploited by hackers in their targeted attacks.
