Which? advice on Android phones

[Peter B]

The February edition of Computing Which? has a substantial piece on Android phones (including tablets) and the vulnerability of them. Particularly relevant is the statement that "If you are on a version before Android 7.0 Nougat, you will need to update your system" via the device's system update section. It then goes on to say that "If you can't update, you need to stop using your device" (my bold) I have contacted their tech helpdesk who have confirmed that this is the case, even when the phone has a security app such as Avast installed.

So that'll be 3 perfectly decent phones to recycling for me, and a Which? guesstimate that as many as 40% of the 20million UK Android users might also be affected.

 

[twist]

The February edition of Computing Which? has a substantial piece on Android phones (including tablets) and the vulnerability of them. Particularly relevant is the statement that "If you are on a version before Android 7.0 Nougat, you will need to update your system" via the device's system update section. It then goes on to say that "If you can't update, you need to stop using your device" (my bold) I have contacted their tech helpdesk who have confirmed that this is the case, even when the phone has a security app such as Avast installed.

So that'll be 3 perfectly decent phones to recycling for me, and a Which? guesstimate that as many as 40% of the 20million UK Android users might also be affected.

Some android manufacturers offer 3 years of updates, Apple dont support devices forever either. You could root and update if the rom is available.

 

[Peter B]

Which is saying that versions of Andoid older than Android 7 are no longer supported by security patches, and are therefore vulnerable to malware, rogue apps, phishing and possibly ransomware. There's too much info to repeat here, but the vulnerability is especially important if you use your smartphone for anything involving money or payments.

 

[Peter B]

Some android manufacturers offer 3 years of updates, Apple dont support devices forever either. You could root and update if the rom is available.

Rooting and updating are way beyond my technical competence, but I know someone wh might be able to do this. Apple allegedly offer support for 5 years, so better than Android, but it's still a case of perfectly good tech having to be binned for recycling. How else would they make us buy new ones?

 

[JonathanRyan]

That seems a little......alarming.

What explanation do they give for this environmental catastrophe?

 

[Peter B]

That seems a little......alarming.

What explanation do they give for this environmental catastrophe?

"From your private photos to your payment details, your mobile device is a juicy target as it holds so much data about you. With there being so many Android devices active worldwide, cybercriminals know the rewards could potentially be huge if they are able to exploit devices that don't have effective security precautions. ------ It's not worth the risk of using an old Android device."

 

[JonathanRyan]

Hmmmmmm. That seems a little short of evidence.

While the risks of an unpatched machine are pretty obvious you could avoid them totally by
1. Not installing anything on it.
2. Not using it for banking. If you do use it for banking then make sure you use a separate hardware device for 2 factor auth.

I'd like them to be more explicit about a real threat before I junked a perfectly good phone.

 

[Peter B]

Hmmmmmm. That seems a little short of evidence.

While the risks of an unpatched machine are pretty obvious you could avoid them totally by
1. Not installing anything on it.
2. Not using it for banking. If you do use it for banking then make sure you use a separate hardware device for 2 factor auth.

I'd like them to be more explicit about a real threat before I junked a perfectly good phone.

Possibly so Jonathan, but how many users take real precautions with their smartphones? I've no dodgy photos on mine and don't use it for banking, but I do have my email accounts linked for viewing on the phone and that would give access to some bank info, utilities details and the like? I'm also reluctant to bin mine, although the cheapie PAYG standby phone with no internet access should be OK.

I think the other reason behind the article is to warn that some phones are still being sold as new with little or no support, including a Google Pixel for £240 on Amazon Marketplace in November 19, when Google stopped updates for it a month earlier. Also a Pixel 2 in the same Amazon Marketplace for £325, but only with updates until October 2020, so it's as mauch a warning to others about buying new or replacement phones

 

[Box Brownie]

Phew!

My Moto G5 is Android v8.1.0

But will be checking the one that SWMBO has?

 

[twist]

Rooting and updating are way beyond my technical competence, but I know someone wh might be able to do this. Apple allegedly offer support for 5 years, so better than Android, but it's still a case of perfectly good tech having to be binned for recycling. How else would they make us buy new ones?

The other side is apple phones cost a lot and they don't do budget options.

Exactly. Manufacturers don't want to spend money on R&D on models that old when they can sell you a new one. But as long as Google is providing their app updates and so are your bank then you should be okay.