Google and Samsung recently announced that they would start issuing security patches to their Android smartphones. This is in light of recent exploits like the StageFright flaw, one of the worst Android security flaws in history and aptly named “Mother of all Android Vulnerabilities” by Zimperium, the mobile security company who discovered the flaw.
Samsung made the announcement first that they will implement new updates about once a month to fast track security patches over the air as vulnerabilities are uncovered. They recently fast tracked security updates to their Galaxy devices to acknowledge the StageFright issue.
“With the recent security issues, we have been rethinking the approach to getting security updates to our devices in a more timely manner. Since software is constantly exploited in new ways, developing a fast response process to deliver security patches to our devices is critical to keep them protected.” – Dong Jin Koh, Executive Vice President and Head of Mobile Research and Development Office, IT & Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics.
Not long after, Google also made a similar announcement for its Nexus devices, promising more timely updates to help keep users protected. The first update of this kind will roll out starting today to Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Nexus 10 and Nexus Player. The update contains fixes for issues like StageFright vulnerability.
Nexus devices will continue to receive major updates for at least two years and security patches for three years from initial availability or 18 months from last sale of the device via the Google Store.
(Source: Samsung, Google via: Engadget 1, 2)
