600 million Samsung phone vulnerable to hack —VIDEO
A vulnerability in the software of up to 600 million Samsung Galaxy phones can allow hackers to spy on the entire life of the phone’s owner.
The hack, which may only be avoided by staying on secured Wi-Fi networks, allows the hacker to listen through the microphone, see through the phone’s camera, read all texts and install apps, the Independent reported.
The problem lies in the Samsung IME keyboard, a version of SwiftKey, that’s installed on the phones. Hackers use it by getting in the way of a server update request and taking control from there.
Researches said the exploit works on the Samsung Galaxy S6, the S6 and the S4 Mini.
“It appears that the way this technology was integrated on Samsung devices introduced the security vulnerability,” a statement from SwiftKey said. “We are doing everything we can to support our long-time partner Samsung in their efforts to resolve this obscure but important security issue.”
Contact Kristen DeSilva at 702-477-3895 or kdesilva@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva
