Newly discovered Samsung security flaw allows hackers to access your entire phone

[Igster]

A potentially crippling security flaw has been discovered on a variety of Samsung smartphones.

Taking advantage of the flaw, a hacker is able to access a phone’s camera, microphone and GPS; listen in on a person’s phone conversations and read their text messages; and access information like personal contacts and photos.

According to NowSecure, the company that discovered the flaw, the problem stems from the fact that the process used to update the keyboard software on a Samsung phone can be hijacked by a hacker.

http://mobilesyrup.com/2015/06/17/sa...ampaign=buffer

[CroFlames]

I'll stick with my BB Z10

[Galakanokis]

I think it is a non issue. It is such a certain set of circumstances that need to happen that the chances are so slim. If you by chance seem to be on an already compromised network than I think you have more issues than the chance that you keyboards language pack might update.

"must be connected to a compromised network (such as a spoofed public Wi-Fi network), where a hacker with the right tools has specifically intended to gain access to their device. This access is then only possible if the user’s keyboard is conducting a language update at that specific time"

[Igster]

Yup. The odds of it happening to you are very, very slim. Thought it was interesting though that they asked the company not to release the information for a few months and then asked for a full year.

[Galakanokis]

Definitely interesting they asked for a grace period. I wonder if there is some sort of financial side to these things. Hey we found a weakness give us some cash or we spill the beans. Otherwise what's in it for the security company to keep their mouths closed?

Also pretty cool that it was found in the first place.

[Finger Cookin]