There are many reasons to use Android devices. Any Android fanatic can tell you that having an open source operating system is a better option for them than the other more restrictive options.
This open source platform means that you not only have more app options, but you can also play an amateur developer with your device. There are tons of third-party apps available for Android that aren’t available for iOS devices due to security restrictions, and many other options for customizing your device. Tap or click here to check out the Android 11 features we’re so excited about.
But while Android definitely has its advantages, there have also been some serious issues, including some serious glitches that could lead to getting hacked. Google has just released the latest Android security patch, and if you are concerned about the security of your device, you should download it as soon as possible. This is what the update covers.
These critical Android flaws need to be fixed for now
The new January 2021 security patch for Android has been released, and if you are using an Android tablet or phone, you will need to download it immediately. This security update fixes 43 different flaws, two of which are critical vulnerabilities.
The most dangerous of these threats can put you at risk of being hacked. If that happens, a hacker could be using a custom broadcast to run dangerous code on your machine from a remote location. This is bad news for your device.
Another serious flaw fixed by this update could allow hackers to launch permanent denial of service attacks on your device. These types of attacks allow hackers to lock down a device or network, rendering them completely useless to the person who is supposed to use them.
It is generally carried out by flooding or blocking servers with unnecessary and arbitrary requests. This prevents legitimate requests from being fulfilled, causing problems for the person trying to use the device.
Due to the severity of these flaws, you will need to download this new security patch as soon as possible. This does not include the other 41 faults it fixes, which range from high to moderate severity.
The update covers a wide range of Android operating systems: 8.0, 8.1, 9, 10 and 11, all of which need to be updated with this patch. However, Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL users will not receive this update. Updates for these versions of Google Pixel expired in December 2020 after three years of support. So if you are using the Google Pixel or Pixel 2, you will not be able to correct these shortcomings.
If you are using a newer Pixel device then you are covered by this patch. This includes Pixel 3, Pixel 4, and Pixel 5 devices.
How to update your Android device
If you are using a Pixel or Nexus phone that has been updated, you will get the latest version of Android directly from Google. If you bought your device from Google Store, then the update will usually arrive on your device within two weeks. If you purchased your device elsewhere, updates may take longer to arrive.
Update times vary by device, manufacturer, and carrier.
You should receive a notification when the update is rolled out to your device. When you receive a notification, open it and tap Update.
If you clear your notification or your device is offline, you can still update your phone. That is how:
- Unlock your phone Settings Implementation.
- Near the bottom, tap the system > Developed > upgrade system.
- You will see its update status.
- Follow the steps that appear on the screen.
If you’re still not sure whether the patch was automatically rolled out to your phone, here’s how to check:
- Open a file Settings Implementation.
- Tap Safety.
- Look for an update:
- To check if a security update is available, tap Security update.
- To check for a Google Play system update available, tap Google Play system update.
- Follow the steps that appear on the screen.
Most operating system updates come with significant security patches. That’s why it’s important to get it as soon as possible, even if it means you have to deal with some vulnerabilities until another update is released.