Act quickly: Two nasty security gaps threaten owners of Samsung smartphones. In an emergency, an app can even be downloaded onto the cell phone without the user’s knowledge. Those affected should not hesitate and make an update.

SamsungElectronics

Samsung has always cooked its own app soup. The South Korean manufacturer offers a counterpart for almost every Google app. As an alternative to the Play Store, there is the Galaxy Store, which is pre-installed on all Samsung cell phones. Ironically, two nasty security gaps are lurking here.

Two vulnerabilities in the Galaxy Store of Samsung smartphones

Among other things, they allow this Download apps from the Galaxy Store without any user knowledge or action. All you have to do is send the request from another malicious app that has already made it onto the smartphone of the person concerned (via PhoneArena).

With an update of the Galaxy Store app on On January 1, 2023, Samsung closed the two vulnerabilities. If you own a Samsung smartphone, you should definitely make sure that the Galaxy Store is up to date and at least that carries version number 4.5.49.8. The easiest way to check this is in the app itself.

To do this, open the Galaxy Store app, click on menu in the bottom right and then go to the gear icon in the top right. The version number can then be viewed under “Info about Galaxy Store” and an update can be installed if necessary.

Important to know: Samsung phones running Android 13 are not affected by the vulnerability. Nevertheless, owners of these smartphones should also keep the Galaxy Store up to date in order to close other potential gateways.

You should know these tips for your Samsung smartphone:

Samsung phone with hidden features

Samsung smartphones often have many practical functions that not every owner is aware of. One of them, for example, can extend the life of the battery. Another, on the other hand, allows you to conveniently eliminate WLAN and Bluetooth problems.