Bryan Bishop for The Verge:
Yesterday we reported on a vulnerability on Samsung phones that could allow a malicious website to wipe a user’s device, but new details are coming to light that indicate the issue extends beyond Samsung’s product line — and that the dialer in some versions of Android may by the cause.
We linked to a report on the vulnerability on Tuesday.
Well, I may have shitty maps on my phone, but at least I’ve got my data.
Let’s see if the mainstream press reports this. Surely they’ll perform due diligence in notifying the public of this dangerous bug on phones that don’t come from Apple. Right?
This sounds like a serious black eye for iOS — I mean Android.
Here’s what puzzles me about this: Google pays hackers to look for portals for malware and there is that yearly conference where people can make a lot of $$ for breaking smartphone security so why is this just showing up now? The phone models go back years.
I have no conspiracy theory of any kind it just seems that, from what I have read, this wasn’t that hard to figure out. Needless to say, I’d have the same chance as the proverbial “give a hundred monkeys a smart phone…” to figure it out myself so I use “that hard to figure out” with care for those people talented enough in these areas.
And I agree 100% with those who are skeptical that this will get the same press scrutiny as if it were on iOS. I have to admit I thought it was Samsung’s messing with Android with their Cheez-Whiz over write that got Samsung initially identified as vulnerable but am not surprised it is inherent to Android’s “open structure.”
Just read an update stating all Android phones not running Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0x) or Jelly Bean (4.1x) are expected to be vulnerable. That would be, what, 75 to 80% of all Android phones?
BTW, no coverage I could find on All Things D, 9to5 Mac or 9to5 Google.
This is the difference between sweating the details and thinking experience matters vs. thinking that the ability to change the details matters.
Well, that’s great. I have a phone that cannot be upgraded beyond Android 2.2. Luckily, the phone crashes when I try to do anything beyond a phone call, so I shouldn’t be hitting any websites and getting my phone wiped any time soon.
They likely won’t. But I’m sure some comedy group or such will do an ad about it. It is, after all, another feature for IPhone users to be jealous about.
Glad your phone is not affected.
Agreed.