It’s nothing to get too worked up about, but it’s always best to stay aware of any potential exploits.
If you’re worried about malware we have a list of the best anti-malware apps available on Android, while you can also check out our review of Lookout if you need an antivirus app.
What is Stagefright?
Put simply, Stagefright is an bug that exposes vulnerabilities in the Android OS.
It originally made the news in 2015, when it became apparent that there was a problem with the MMS service on Android that could potentially lead to problems in the future. Any firmware up to 5.1 was said to be susceptible, and it also affected messages sent via Google Hangouts.
Google began work on patching the exploit as soon as the news broke, and most devices should now be secure. If you’re worried about your device, there’s a few things you can do to check if your device is still under threat.
Luckily, there’s a simple app you can download from the Play Store to see if your device is open to the exploit.
Stagefright Detector is an app released by Zimperium, who were the first to discover the exploit. They’re a cybersecurity firm so it’s safe to download the application to your device, and they won’t collect any of your personal information.
The app won’t be able to tell you if your device is infected, but it will be able to tell if your device could be vulnerable to the exploit.
Open the app on your device, and tap Begin Analysis.
- 1) The app will now check to see if your device is susceptible to the vulnerability.
- 2) You’ll see a bright red bar that says Vulnerable if your device can be exploited.
- 3) That’s it, and it’s the easiest way for you to get definitive proof.
- If your Android device is vulnerable to the exploit, check the next step for the best way to close any access for hackers. (If you can update your OS, it’s advised to do so as it could close any access for potential hackers.)
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