Samsung reveals first Android phone to receive free upgrade this month

SAMSUNG has issued a new security update which protects phones against any software gaps that hackers can use to sneak in and steal information.

And we now know which phone is getting it first.

The update fixes 25 vulnerabilities that affect all Android devices.

Of these, four are “critical” issues, and the rest have been categorised as “high” risk.

Fortunately, all 25 Android flaws 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.

The patch also fixes another 33 security holes that specifically affect Samsung’s Galaxy handsets, Sammobile reported.

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.

WHEN CAN I DOWNLOAD IT?

The Galaxy A55 has become the first Samsung smartphone to receive the July 2024 update.

Samsung has not released a timeline of when specific phones will receive the update.

All devices worldwide should be able to download the July update sometime this month.

For owners of the A55, this is reportedly their first update in many months.

While the A55 is eligible for monthly updates, according to Sammobile, Samsung has not stuck to its usual schedule.

To download the update, open Settings > Software Update > Download or Install.