Google’s top Android engineer describes how the attack surface is shrinking on the mobile operating system.

Google said half of Android devices are unpatched and that percentage of potentially harmful apps on phones installed from all sources rose in 2016.

Researchers have demonstrated how the PC-based Rowhammer attack also works against Android devices.

This week’s Android Security Bulletin patched a calamity of vulnerabilities that threatened almost every device in circulation and illustrated the fragility of the Android ecosystem. The bulletin addressed more than 50 vulnerabilities, including nine rated critical by Google because of the possibility of remote code execution. Off the top, Google fixed the two remaining unpatched...

The Android ecosystem may have dodged another Stagefright-type of vulnerability. Google’s monthly Android Security Bulletin released on Tuesday not only patched the remaining Quadrooter vulnerabilities, but also fixed another wide-ranging flaw that could allow an attacker to easily compromise—or at least brick—any Android device dating back to version 4.2. The key to staving off another...

Google is used to taking a beating over Android vulnerabilities, but it says too often its hard work fixing vulnerabilities and keeping the platform safe goes unnoticed. “Over the seven years working on Android security vulnerabilities I’ve seen a lot of bugs and a lot of fear uncertainty and doubt,” said Nick Kralevich, Android platform...

The glowing lack of public, real-world Stagefright exploits didn’t stop the U.S. government from using last summer’s blockbuster Android vulnerability as an illustration of the dangers facing mobile device users. Under the context of Stagefright exposing up to 1 billion devices to attack, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission yesterday said they...

Millions of Android users are at risk of a new Metaphor exploit that can take over Samsung, LG and HTC phones in under 20 seconds. The hack gives attackers access to the targeted phones including the ability to inject malware and take control over key smartphone functions. Discovered by Israeli-based security firm NorthBit, the vulnerability...

Google today patched two critical holes in its problematic Android Mediaserver component which would allow an attacker to use email, web browsing, and MMS processing of media files to remotely execute code. With this latest vulnerability, Google has patched its Mediaserver more than two dozen times since the Stagefright vulnerability was discovered in August. The patch...

With 2015 more or less in the rear view mirror Mike Mimoso and Chris Brook discuss the year in security: Wassenaar, ransomware, Carbanak and Equation Group,how big of a deal Stagefright was, that Juniper backdoor, and more. Download: tp_2015_in_review.mp3 Music by Chris Gonsalves