Google Pixel phone owners have been warned by the US government to urgently update their devices within 10 days or face potential security risks. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued this alert after Google discovered a critical security flaw in Pixel phones. The security issue, known as CVE-2024-32896, could allow hackers to gain unauthorized access to Pixel devices.
Federal employees have been instructed to update their Pixel phones by July 4 or stop using them altogether. While this warning is specific to government workers, all Pixel users are advised to take action. The update is part of Google’s June security patch for Pixel phones and should download automatically. However, users must restart their phones to complete the installation process.
Experts have cautioned that this security issue could potentially affect other Android phones as well, but a fix may not be available until the release of Android 15. It is uncertain what steps non-Pixel Android phone users should take in the meantime to protect their devices.
The urgency of this security update is underscored by the increasing number of security risks facing Android phones. Researchers recently identified over 90 potentially harmful apps in the Google Play Store, which have been downloaded over 5.5 million times. Additionally, a threat known as “Rafel” has been linked to at least 120 attacks on Android phones, targeting both older and newer devices.
To safeguard their devices, Pixel users are advised to promptly update their phones and verify the installation through their device’s settings. Other Android users should exercise caution and closely monitor updates from their phone manufacturers to mitigate potential security risks.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/us-government-has-a-10-day-warning-for-google-pixel-phone-users/amp_articleshow/111235225.cms