In recent news, tech giant Google has notified users of some Android phones that they should delete their voice calling app as a precautionary measure to avoid any malware infections and malicious activity. As Android phones become increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, Google has identified the pre-installed voice calling app as a potential source of infection.
Google’s Android Security and Privacy Team has released a statement urging users of the phone models listed to disable, or “nuke”, the app, in order to protect themselves from any potential security risks and privacy threats. Although the phone models have not been disclosed, it is believed that users of certain Samsung Galaxy and Sony Xperia phones should take extra precautions, as attackers are particularly targeting these particular brands.
This announcement from Google comes after there has been a surge in reports of malicious activity across numerous Android phones in recent weeks. It is unclear how this issue began or where the vulnerability lies, however Google has confirmed that users should delete all data associated with the voice calling app, which in some cases can include user’s contact list, past call history and analytics.
Google has further advised that in the case that a user has already been affected by an infection, then the app should be uninstalled immediately, and it is also recommended to set up multi-factor authentication as a further safeguard.
This is important news for users of Android devices, as the risk of cyber-attacks increases drastically when essential apps and security systems are left unchecked.However, as many users are unaware of the risks associated with leaving the voice calling app enabled, Google has offered useful information on their security website, which includes tips on how to best assess one’s security.
Overall, it is essential that Android users follow Google’s security advice, as any negligence could lead to serious cyber-security threats and data breaches. As such, it seems that Google’s ‘nuke’ approach is the most effective way of ensuring that users remain safe from any malicious activity.
