More than a billion Android smartphones are at risk of being hacked because they no longer receive security updates, according to consumers’ watchdogs.
Two in five Android users could be an easy target for cybercriminals, as security vulnerabilities in the mobile operating system are no longer fixed by Google.
Who said: “Phones and tablets, including handsets still available for purchase in online markets such as Amazon, could be affected by a range of malware and other threats.
“This could result in the theft of personal data, spamming advertisements or even registering for a high-cost telephone service,” the organization warned.
Data from Google indicates that more than 42% of Android users worldwide are still using version 6.0 of Android, known as Marshmallow, or earlier types.
Marshmallow was released in October 2015 and has not received any security updates since 2019.
Which? said it worked with an antivirus company to see if five phones could be infected with malware. The phones tested were:
- Sony Xperia Z2
- Google Nexus 5
- Motorola Moto X Style
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
- Samsung galaxy a5
All five phones may have been infected.
A Google spokesperson told Sky News, “We are committed to improving the security of Android devices every day.”
The company said people who own phones that run older versions of Android should contact their manufacturers to see if they can get the security of the devices fixed.
“We provide security updates with bug fixes and other protections every month, and work continuously with hardware partners and operators to ensure Android users have a fast and secure experience with their devices,” a added the spokesperson.
