Android users Alert: One billion Android devices at risk of hacking: Report

Android users Alert: One billion Android devices at risk of hacking: Report

"It is very concerning that expensive Android devices have such a short shelf life before they lose security support. leaving millions of users at risk of serious consequences if they fall victim to hackers, " Kate Bevan editor which? said in a statement.

New Delhi: Consumer watchdog which? has claimed that more than one million Android phones and tablets are vulnetavle to hackers as they no longer supported by security updates.

According to the research report, the most at-risk phones are that run Android 4 or older and those smartphones running android 7.0 which can not be updated are also at risk.

Based on data from Google analysed by which?
two in five android device users around the world are no longer receiving the important updates. Currently, those devices are unlikely to have issues, but the lack of security leaves them open to attack.

"Google and phone manufactures need to be upfront about security updates need to be upfront about security updates with cleat information about how long they will last and what customers should do when they run out . The government must also push ahead with planned legislation to ensure manufacturers are fat more transparent about security updates for smart devices and their impact on consumers," Kate added.

Android phone released around 2012 or earlier, including popular models like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Sony Xperia  S, are particularly at risk to hackers.

In case a user is not able to update the phone, the device could be at risk of being hacked if it is running a version of Android 4 or lower.

A user also need to be careful about downloading apps outside the Google play store and should also install a mobile antivirus via an app.