Billions of Android users warned of ‘vulnerabilities’ that steal ‘money and passwords’ – change your version in Settings

ANDROID users are being urged to install the latest security updates to stay safe from sinister cyber-criminals.

Security experts have revealed how ignoring the updates could let crooks steal your money, log-ins, and personal info.

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It’s easy to think of updates as a way to get exciting new features on your Android phone.

That’s true – but that can make it tempting to put them off.

However updates often include vital security changes that are too important to ignore.

“Stories about how smartphones can get infected with malware without any user action or with no signs that anything is wrong are not fiction,” said Kaspersky’s Stan Kaminsky in an official security memo.

“But rather the result of the exploitation of dangerous bugs in Android itself and installed apps.

“Vulnerabilities even crop up in cellular or Wi-Fi modules.

“And if you think this ‘spy fiction’ doesn’t apply to you, beware – cybercriminals will quite happily use vulnerabilities of this kind to steal your money, passwords and anything else that isn’t bolted down.

“Each monthly Android update fixes a handful of serious vulnerabilities and a dozen or two low-risk ones.”

When a security problem is patched, it can often mean that the issue is know about.

That means it’s ripe to be targeted by cyber-criminals.

So by delaying updates, you’re putting yourself at risk – as hackers can take advantage of these security holes.

Importantly, updates are free to download and install, so there’s no cost to increasing your own device protections.

And it’s a fast and effective way of blocking some of the most dangerous cyber-attacks.

Always make sure you have the latest Android and app versions installed.

Getting updates right

Kaspersky revealed that there are two main types of updates that you need to stay on top of.

That way you’ll have the best protections across all of your devices.

The first is updating Android itself – just go into your phone settings and look for the updates section.

Google typically releases a major version of Android each year, which packs in new features.

But you’ll usually get security updates each month.

If you’ve got a Google Pixel phone, you’ll get these right away.

However phones made by other companies might have delayed Android updates as they add their own tweaks.

So look out for these updates from your phone maker too.

You’ll also need to make sure that you’re updating apps.

Apps require their own individual updates – so check the Google Play Store for those.

That way your apps can have the best protections and latest features.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk