Samsung’s app marketplace Galaxy Store that comes pre-installed on its smartphones appears to be home to sketchy movie streaming apps, Android Police has found.
Several clones of the now-defunct Showbox movie streaming app being hosted on the Galaxy Store could be potentially dangerous. Per mobile security analyst linuxct, while these apps may not be harmful on their own, they appear to be armed with technology that may let them download and execute malware.
The issue came to light when the outlet’s writer Max Weinbach discovered that at least five of the Showbox copycats were possibly malicious after warnings from Google’s Play Protect and this prompted the publication to conduct an investigation.
Analysis done through online virus and malware scanning service Virustotal showed that something is definitely fishy. Some of the apps also ask for excessive permissions, including access to call logs.
The other issue is that Showbox had a reputation for being a pirate tool and there is little chance that the clones that are on the Galaxy Store are not infringing on copyrights. None of these apps can be found on Google’s Play Store.
Since the Galaxy Store doesn’t show an install count, it’s hard to ascertain how many times the apps in question were downloaded, but for what it’s worth, they have received hundreds of reviews, with some mentioning the malware warnings.
Samsung is yet to comment on the findings. Thus, for now, it might be a better idea for Samsung phone users to only download apps from Google’s Play Store.
https://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1640656805_Samsungs-app-store-is-home-to-potentially-harmful-apps.jpg6751200SecureTechhttps://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SS-Logo.svgSecureTech2021-12-27 21:00:042021-12-27 21:00:04Samsung’s app store is home to potentially harmful apps
This story was originally published and last updated .
Every month Samsung gets a head start on security patches by letting one or two slip out in the days before we actually flip over the calendar — just as it did about a week or so back, further cementing its position as the king of updates. After grabbing that early lead, Samsung’s continuing to release its August patch for more and more Galaxy smartphones internationally.
We got started with the Galaxy A52 — that may be a mid-ranger, but that hasn’t stopped Samsung from giving it regular updates, and this month it leads the charge as the first device to receive the August 2021 security patch.
That changelog was pretty sparse, listing only the usually vague bug fixes and improvements. The update was spotted in several countries, including Germany, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine.
Samsung quickly followed up with August patches for a couple other A-series phones, including the A8 and the A72. And then it wasn’t long before we saw it bringing an early patch to the Galaxy S21, starting in China.
Distribution should quickly expand to other regions and devices over the next few weeks, and we’ll be keeping this article updated with all of that relevant information.
Galaxy S9 series
Galaxy S10 series
Galaxy S20 series
Galaxy S21 series
Galaxy Note8
Galaxy Note9
Galaxy Note20 series
Galaxy Foldables
Galaxy A series
Galaxy A02s: A025MUBU2BUH5, released August 23rd
Galaxy A8: A530FXXSLCUH1, released July 29
Galaxy A10: A105FPUU6CUH3, released August 18th
Galaxy A30s: A307GTVJS4CUH1, released August 26th
Galaxy A31: A315GDXU1CUG5, released August 23rd
Galaxy A32: A325FXXU1AUH1, released August 6
Galaxy A32 5G: A326BXXU3AUH4, released August 25th
Galaxy A50: A505GUBS9CUH1, released August 20th
Galaxy A50s: A507FNXXU5DUG4, released August 17th
Galaxy A51: A515FXXU5EUG7, released August 27th
Galaxy A52 4G: A525FXXU3AUG4, released July 27
Galaxy A52 5G: A526BXXS1AUH2, released August 25th
https://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-a51-review-8-scaled.jpg17042560SecureTechhttps://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SS-Logo.svgSecureTech2021-08-30 10:30:072021-08-30 10:30:07Samsung’s Galaxy A51 is receiving the August 2021 security patch internationally
This story was originally published and last updated .
Every month Samsung continues to impress with its commitment to timely security updates. Right now the August 2021 security patch is rolling out to a number of high-profile Galaxy phones in the US, less than a week behind international models.
So far the update is available for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra on Verizon, as well as the unlocked S20 and Note20 series. It contains the usual bug fixes and security improvements. We’ll keep this post updated as other phones receive the August patch.
Galaxy S9 series
Verizon
Galaxy S9: QP1A.190711.020.G960USQS9FUG2, released August 13th
Galaxy S9+: QP1A.190711.020.G965USQS9FUG2, released August 13th
T-Mobile
Galaxy S9: G960USQS9FUG2, available August 14th
Galaxy S20 series
Galaxy S21 series
Unlocked
Verizon
Galaxy S21: RP1A.200720.012.G991USQU4AUGE, released August 4th
Galaxy S21+: RP1A.200720.012.G996USQU4AUGE, released August 4th
Galaxy S21 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.G998USQU4AUGE, released August 4th
Galaxy Note9
Verizon
Galaxy Note9: QP1A.190711.020.N960USQS9FUG2, released August 11th
Galaxy Note20 series
Galaxy A series
Verizon
Galaxy A50: RP1A.200720.012.A505USQSEDUG3, released August 5th
T-Mobile
Galaxy tablets
New devices
The August 2021 security patch is now available for the T-Mobile A52 5G and Tab S6
https://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-a52-colorful-background-scaled.jpg14402560SecureTechhttps://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SS-Logo.svgSecureTech2021-08-18 14:00:052021-08-18 14:00:05Samsung’s August 2021 update spreads to the T-Mobile Galaxy A52 5G and more phones
This story was originally published and last updated .
Samsung kickstarted its February 2021 patch rollout a bit early this time, with the European Galaxy S20 line being the first recipient. Now, these latest Android security updates are spreading to the US, starting with the unlocked Galaxy S20 models and the Note20 Ultra, and more recently followed by a couple of older and budget devices on AT&T and Verizon.
You can expect more Galaxy flagships and mid-rangers to join the list in the coming weeks if Samsung sticks to its course of pushing timely security patches. These updates often follow a phased release, so you may need to wait for it to reach you, though you can always give it a manual check under Settings > Software Update.
Here are all Samsung phones that have been updated to the February 2021 patch in the United States, with the latest entries highlighted in bold:
Galaxy S21 series
Galaxy S20 series
Unlocked
Verizon
Galaxy S20 FE: RP1A.200720.012.G781VSQU2DUB8, released February 25
Galaxy S20 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.G988USQU1DUB7, released February 25
Galaxy S20+: RP1A.200720.012.G986USQU1DUB7, released February 25
Galaxy S20: RP1A.200720.012.G981VSQU1DUB7, released February 25
AT&T
Galaxy S20: RP1A.200720.012.G981USQU1DUB5, 1.5GB, released March 2
Galaxy S20+: RP1A.200720.012.G986USQU1DUB5, 1.6GB, released March 2
Galaxy S20 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.G988USQU1DUB5, 1.6GB, released March 2
Galaxy S10 series
Verizon
Galaxy S10+: RP1A.200720.012.G975USQS4FUA1, released February 19
Galaxy S10: RP1A.200720.012.G973USQS4FUA1, released February 19
Galaxy S10e: RP1A.200720.012.G970USQS4FUA1, released February 19
Galaxy S10 5G: RP1A.200720.012.G977UVRS5EUA4, released February 19
T-Mobile
Galaxy S9 series
Verizon
Galaxy S9: QP1A.190711.020.G960USQS9FUB2, released February 22
Galaxy S9+: QP1A.190711.020.G965USQS9FUB2, released February 22
T-Mobile
Galaxy Note20 series
Unlocked
T-Mobile
Verizon
AT&T
Galaxy Note20 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.N981USQU1DUB5, 2.1GB, released March 1
Galaxy Note20: RP1A.200720.012.N986USQU1DUB5, 2.1GB, released March 1
https://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/galaxy-s20-50.jpg16002400SecureTechhttps://spinsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SS-Logo.svgSecureTech2021-03-15 16:00:052021-03-15 16:00:05Samsung’s February security update reaches more US carrier devices