Google announced software updates to fix a major flaw in Android devices that would make it easy for hackers to access millions of users’ personal data.
Last week security firm Zimperium discovered the flaw, called Stagefright, which exposes Android devices to malware from messages containing infected video.
A hacker could simply send a text with an infected video to the device. Once the text is received, the hacker would have complete control over the handset; users don’t even have to open the text message.
Google, the company behind Android, stated that 90 percent of Android devices were protected with a programming technique called “address space layout randomization” (ASLR), NBC News reports.
Additionally, Google said that the next release of Android’s messaging app, called Messenger, was getting an update that would force users to click on videos to play them, preventing the bug from infecting devices through previews.
The company has also announced that owners of Nexus devices can expect security updates every month.
Other popular Android devices from manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony will get the same protection against Stagefright sometime in August.
