Google warns millions of phone owners to check setting TODAY as crooks ‘targeting' victims with mystery attack right now
Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science
Published: Invalid Date,
GOOGLE is urging millions of phone owners to update their devices as soon as possible.
The company says it fixes dozens of security loopholes – some of which crooks may be using to "target" victims right now.
If you don't update your Android phone, you risk leaving your handset wide open to being attacked by cyber-criminals.
Google even warned that for some of the most severe bugs, user interaction "is not needed for exploitation".
That means you could be targeted even if you do nothing – you don't need to click a link or open a message to become a victim.
The only way to guarantee safety is to update your Android phone with the May fixes.
Google's latest update includes two patches – named 2025-05-01 and 2025-05-05 – which include 28 and 22 security bug fixes respectively.
"We encourage all customers to accept these updates to their devices," Google said.
Google is rolling out the patches right now, which means you should see it appear on your phone in the coming hours.
To check your phone's Android version, go to Settings > About Phone > Android Version.
Then to claim the latest updates, go to Settings > System > Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions.
DANGER PHONES
The list of devices getting the patch includes:
Protect your bank accounts: Enable Google's identity check today
Pixel 6
Pixel 6 Pro
Pixel 6a
Pixel 7
Pixel 7 Pro
Pixel 7a
Pixel Tablet
Pixel Fold
Pixel 8
Pixel 8 Pro
Pixel 8a
Pixel 9
Pixel 9 Pro
Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Pixel 9a
Google hasn't revealed exactly what happens to victims of the attack.
The company warned that one bug "may be under limited, targeted exploitation".
But it typically avoids explaining exactly how attacks work – to prevent savvy crooks from taking advantage of it.
After all, it's unlikely that all potential targets will install the latest Android security fixes right away.
Updating your phone is one of the best ways to keep it safe, as Google regularly dishes out security upgrades.
And if your phone is so old that it no longer receives updates, that puts it in serious danger of being compromised by crooks.
It's worth considering upgrading to a newer phone model that can get the latest upgrades – or hackers could take advantage of bugs that Google hasn't fixed on your mobile.
DON'T DELAY! UPGRADE TODAY
Here's what The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach has to say...
I know, I know – another update!
It seems like everything wants to update all of the time. Your phone, the apps, your living room telly, that smart toaster you got for Christmas.
Updating everything constantly is a real pain – and that's great news for hackers.
Digital crooks prey on people who don't bother updating their devices.
Tech giants go to great lengths to close down bugs in their gadgets and apps – delivering the fixes to you over the internet in the form of updates.
And if you're not installing those updates, you're not getting those protections.
It's like a tech company is telling you that someone has stolen your key, and is offering you a free lock change. Only it's almost instant, and far easier to sort.
If you don't take the update, the crooks can walk right in through your virtual front door.
Depending on the severity of the bug, a crook could spy on you, steal your private info, and maybe even pilfer your cash or defraud you.
It's just not worth the risk.
Security updates are one of your best defences against hackers, and they don't cost you a penny.
Plus you'll usually get some bonus features chucked into these updates too, so that's something to look forward to.
Picture Credit: Sean Keach
Google has also fixed a few non-security bugs for phone owners in the latest update too.
For instance, Google users spotted a strange bug that was making the quality of WhatsApp microphone quality very poor.
Google has fixed this, as well as some language issues and Bluetooth pairing problems for smartwatches.
If you want to make your Android phone even safer, check for an important Google security trick now.
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