Google and Samsung Electronics will release monthly security fixes for Android phones, a growing target for hackers, after the disclosure of a bug designed to attack the world’s most popular mobile operating system.
As of now, Android manufacturers get a monthly bulletin from Google in the form of point updates about security issues. However, Google will release these to the public through the Android open-source project; Nexus and Samsung users will receive security patches faster.
The first update from Google, which is already rolling out to Nexus devices (including Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Nexus 10 and Nexus Player) is aimed at fixing libStageFright issue — the security vulnerability that allows for remote code execution through text message.
Google has further said that it will offer major updates to Nexus devices for two years and provide security patches for three years “or 18 months from last sale of the device via the Google Store.”