Google warns: 1 billion devices vulnerable to attack

Recent data that has sent shockwaves through the tech world is of great concern to Android users. New statistics and presentations released by a leading tech giant have revealed that a significant portion of Android phones currently in use no longer receive security updates. This situation leaves millions of users' devices exposed to serious risks.

Officials responsible for security and privacy stated that more than 2.5 billion Android devices are actively used worldwide, and approximately 40 percent of these are no longer supported by their manufacturers. A simple calculation shows that the number of devices not receiving updates is approaching 1 billion, creating an environment vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Android phones that have had their update support completely cut off are left defenseless against new viruses and malware. It is noted that owners of older model devices are at the forefront of this risk group. It is emphasized that phone manufacturers typically provide security updates for 2 to 3 years, after which devices are forced to make do with older versions. Experts say that after this period, devices fall into the category of "phones without security patches" and become easy targets for attackers.

The risks associated with unupdated Android devices are not limited to malware. The theft of users' banking information, the exposure of private photos and messages, the locking of the phone with ransomware, or its use in illegal digital transactions are among the possibilities.

Although Google has begun distributing certain security patches directly through the Play Store with innovations like Project Mainline for Android users, experts believe this solution is insufficient for vulnerabilities at the hardware level. Security gaps that emerge at the physical level cannot be easily closed via software. For this reason, security authorities and representatives of the tech company are warning users against actively using Android phones that lack update support.

The primary step recommended for a more secure mobile experience is to switch to a current Android model that is still officially supported. Otherwise, personal information and digital security face increasing danger every day. For those who cannot change their phones, keeping banking transactions or sensitive information sharing to a minimum and staying away from unknown applications and links are considered important precautions.