Tag: galaxy s III

Developers find mobile security flaw with Samsung Android devices

Developers associated with XDA Developers, a mobile software development community with over 4 million users worldwide, have found a serious mobile security flaw in recent Samsung mobile devices. One developer, going by the username “Alephzain,” discovered that many Samsung devices that use Google’s Android operating system. The security flaw allowed Alephzain, as well as other developers, to access all of the physical memory contain within a Samsung device. Developers were able to access this memory because of an exploit that provided then with root level permissions.

Flaw could make information vulnerable to theft

Mobile security has been gaining serious attention lately, largely due to the types of information that are stored on mobile devices. A typical smart phone or tablet contains a user’s personal information, such as name, address, and birth date, all of which can be used in identity theft. Mobile devices are quickly becoming mobile payment platforms as well, which means they can store a user’s financial information, such as credit card and bank account numbers. This information is highly valuable to a hacker.

Galaxy S III among most vulnerable devices

According to XDA Developers, the Samsung devices that are most vulnerable are the Galaxy S III, the Galaxy S II, The Galaxy Note II, and Meizu MX. Devices that make use of the Exynos processor are also likely to have some degree of mobile security vulnerabilities. Several developers associated with the community have informed Samsung of the serious security flaw, with one going so far as to hack several mobile devices in order to prove that the flaw exists. There are no known Android malware applications that exploit this particular vulnerability.

Financial information could be at risk

Samsung’s Galaxy S III is one of the most popular smart phones in the world currently, having become a major competitor against the iPhone 5 shortly after its launch. Part of the reason the device is so popular is because of its use of NFC technology for data sharing and mobile commerce. When used to make payments, the device stores a consumer’s financial information. The glaring mobile security flaw that seems to have slipped past Samsung  may have put the financial information of millions of Galaxy S III owners at risk.

New Galaxy S III confirmed by Samsung

Earlier this year, prestigious Japanese technology company Samsung released the Galaxy S III. The smart phone was heralded as the most significant challenger to the reign of Apple’s iPhone brand and, thus far, the device has lived up to this hype. One of the most attractive things about the smart phone has been its NFC capabilities. The phone is equipped with NFC technology, allowing for wireless data transmission and enabling consumers to participate in mobile commerce. Though Samsung has seen significant success with the smart phone, the company has plans to boost this success.

Mini version of the device to be released next year

Samsung intends to exploit the rampant popularity of the Galaxy S III by releasing a new version of the smart phone into the market. The company has announced the release of a “mini” version of the Galaxy S III, which will hit the commercial market near the beginning of next year. Though the new version of the smart phone is designated as a “mini,” it will not be much smaller than the current iteration of the Galaxy S III.

Mini version very similar to full-sized counterpart

The Galaxy S III mini will feature a 4-inch touchscreen, which is only .8 of an inch smaller than the larger version. The device will be equipped with the latest Android operating system, and will also include NFC technology. Pricing details for the new Galaxy S III has not yet been released by Samsung. Industry analysts suggest that the move from Samsung represents the company’s belief that it has a product capable of competing against the multiple incarnations of the iPhone.

Legal battle between Samsung and Apple continues

Samsung is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Apple over patent infringement. Samsung is accusing Apple of copying patented technology for the creation of the iPhone. Samsung filed a motion last week to have the recently released iPhone 5 added to the legal dispute. Despite the legal battle, both companies have been able to find significant success with their mobile devices.