The Indian government has issued a significant security advisory to Android users in the country, urging them to promptly update their smartphones. This alert comes from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the government’s cybersecurity agency. The advisory highlights concerns about vulnerabilities in the latest Android phones, which could potentially expose users’ data to hackers.
What’s particularly concerning is that these security risks affect all major Android versions, including Android 11, 12, 12L, and the most recent 13 version. This means that if you own a smartphone running any of these Android versions, you could be susceptible to these security threats.
It’s worth noting that Android is the operating system of choice for over 95 percent of Indian smartphone users. This widespread usage makes this newfound vulnerability a significant concern for both smartphone manufacturers and the government. However, CERT-In clarifies that the issue primarily arises from flaws within the Google Play System framework and Qualcomm components.
Google has identified these vulnerabilities as the primary source of concern, and it’s crucial that both Google and Qualcomm collaborate to release a security patch as swiftly as possible. Fortunately, Google has already taken steps in this direction by issuing the September 2023 update, which addresses the vulnerabilities affecting Android users.
Additionally, Google has communicated with all Android phone manufacturers, urging them to roll out a new update containing the necessary security patches to mitigate these risks. It’s essential for Android users to regularly check for the latest Android updates from their respective brands, although it may take a few days for these updates to become available in different regions.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install the new security update on your Android phone:
- Go to the “Settings” on your phone.
- Scroll down and select “System Update.”
- Click on “Check for Update.”
- If a new version is available, install it as prompted on the screen.
- After installation, be sure to restart your phone to secure your device.
Please ensure that your phone has a sufficient battery charge, ideally at least 40 percent, before attempting to install the new security update. Google also advises users to refrain from installing apps from third-party app stores and to exercise caution when clicking on emails and links from unknown senders.