SAMSUNG has issued a fresh security update that patches nearly 60 vulnerabilities which hackers could have used to break into phones.
It is currently available to download on seven devices. Check the full list below to see if your handset is eligible.
The July 2024 patch, dubbed One UI 6.1.1, protects phones against any software gaps that hackers can use to sneak in and steal information.
There are 58 vulnerabilities that have been fixed, including 25 that affect all Android devices and 33 that impact Samsung phones specifically.
Of the 25 Android flaws, four are “critical” issues, and the rest have been categorised as “high” risk.
Fortunately, all Android vulnerabilities were privately disclosed to Google and Samsung, according to the published security notes.
Private disclosures are made when a cyber researcher – or bug catcher – finds the vulnerability themselves, and reports it directly to the company before it is exploited.
This means hackers have not had a chance to take advantage of the security holes before they are plugged.
One “high” risk security flaw impacted One UI Home, the app that lets users customise their home screen.
The flaw, discovered more than a year ago, allowed hackers “improper access control” in the app.
However, user interaction was required to trigger this vulnerability, making it harder for hackers to exploit.
Another “moderate” security gap affected Samsung’s Secure Folder, which is used to store private photos, videos, files and apps behind a passcode or biometric lock.
The bug allowed “physical attackers to bypass authentication” under certain conditions.
It’s unclear what these conditions are. However, user interaction was, again, required to exploit this bug.
Here's what you need to know...
Few Samsung devices have received the update so far.
The Galaxy A55 became the first Samsung smartphone to receive the July 2024 update last week.
Samsung has not released a timeline of when specific phones will receive the update.
However, the following phones are now able to download the security patch:
To download the update, open Settings > Software Update > Download or Install.
Other Samsung owners will have to wait for the update to be ready on their phone.
If your phone was able to download the One UI 6.1 update, then it will most likely be eligible to install the One UI 6.1.1 software.
