Latest news with #AdvancedProtectionMode
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Android 16's big security feature surprises with early arrival on latest beta
Android 16 is introducing a new "Advanced Protection Mode" which consolidates existing, new, and upcoming security features under a single toggle for simplified device security. This comprehensive security mode, initially expected with the stable Android 16 release, is now surprisingly appearing for some users running the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1. Once enabled via the 'Personal & device safety' settings, Advanced Protection automatically activates various safeguards like spam/scam protection, theft detection, and more, with additional features planned for later release. Google is streamlining your device's security with Android 16, and headlining the effort is the tech giant's new Advanced Protection Mode. First revealed all the way back in October 2024, Google thoroughly detailed the mode and the security features it would offer back in early May. Roughly a fortnight later, the mode is finally starting to take shape. For those unaware, Advanced Protection Mode isn't necessarily a tool itself. It is essentially a feature that groups several existing, new, and upcoming security tools under one roof. Enabling the mode enables all the safeguards with a single toggle, simplifying the process of securing your Android device. Up until now, the mode could only be forced to surface by manually enabling it, with it expected to go live for users with Android 16 stable next month. That, however, changed today as some users running the latest Android 16 beta have reportedly gained access to the mode. Highlighted by the folks over at Android Authority, those running Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 are reportedly gaining access to the comprehensive security mode today. Those who've gained access report that the mode shows up within a new 'Personal & device safety' section in Settings. I am running the latest beta on my Pixel 8, but I personally don't have access to the new section in Settings just yet. Android Police News Editor Dallas Thomas reports the same. For what it's worth, even if you're running QPR1 Beta 1, and the feature has rolled out to you, it's not enabled by default. To enable it, head to Settings → Personal & device safety → Advanced Protection → and toggle on Advanced Protection. Once enabled, your device will automatically toggle on familiar features like Spam and Scam Protection, Theft Detection, Offline Device Lock, Automatic Call Screening, app screening, and more. Other features expected to make their way to the Advanced Protection Mode some time later this year include: Intrusion Logging: An after-the-fact feature that will let you revisit encrypted logs of device activity for post-intrusion analysis. USB Protection: To prevent USB device connections while your phone is locked. Disable Auto-Reconnect: To prevent your device from automatically reconnecting to a Wi-Fi network that has been deemed insecure. Scam Detection for phone calls: A feature that offers real-time warning if your phone's on-device AI detects patterns of scam.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Forbes
Google's Best New Update Just Made Android More Like iPhone
All change for Android Getty Images Google's mission to narrow the security and privacy gap to iPhone has just taken a huge step, with confirmation that Advanced Protection Mode will arrive with Android 16. While this 'provides Google's strongest protections against targeted attacks,' and is seemingly targeted at 'users who need heightened security,' the reality is that it turns Android into a device that closely resembles the locked down nature of an iPhone. This one click setting will enable the latest set of theft, fraud and scam defenses within calls and messages, disable higher risk networks, and mandate safe browsing and Play Protect. It also adds the well-publicized inactivity reboot and a USB data cable block aimed at the plague of recent forensic exploits. But the headline act will be to disable sideloading without an option to opt-out. That remains Android's Achilles heel. Some of these settings move beyond iPhone, albeit the browsing and app restrictions lock down a device against the most likely threats a user will face. While Apple's own Lockdown Mode is genuinely extreme, Google's Advanced Protection Mode is more sensible and is well-advised for many Android users to tighten their security. Android will move ahead of iPhone with Intrusion Detection, a new feature Apple should replicate. 'This industry-first feature,' Google explains, 'securely backs up device logs in a privacy-preserving and tamper-resistant way, accessible only to the user. These logs enable a forensic analysis if a device compromise is ever suspected.' Advanced Protection Mode Google Google is also making it easier for sensitive apps — finance, enterprise, comms — to lockdown according to user preferences and device characteristics. 'Advanced Protection acts as a single control point that enables important security settings across many of your favorite Google apps… Advanced Protection will also incorporate third-party applications that choose to integrate in the future.' This is in addition to the newly updated Play Integrity API which draws a line between the no longer supported Android 12 and newer versions of the OS, restricting app behavior for the 50% of Android users running outdated versions of the OS. 'With the release of Android 16,' Google says, 'users who choose to activate Advanced Protection will gain immediate access to a core suite of enhanced security features. Additional Advanced Protection features like Intrusion Logging, USB protection, the option to disable auto-reconnect to insecure networks, and integration with Scam Detection for Phone by Google will become available later this year.'
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Google I/O 2025: Date, time and what's coming with Android 16 and other AI updates
Google is getting ready to host its yearly developer conference, Google I/O 2025 . The event will take place over two days, starting May 20. The event will be held in person in California and streamed online for viewers around the world. At the event, developers, tech companies, and users are expected to hear about updates in Android, artificial intelligence (AI), web technologies, and cloud services. Here's what we know about Google's biggest software event of the year Google I/O 2025: Time and Date As mentioned above, Google I/O 2025 will begin on May 20 and continue through May 21. The event will be held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Like past events, there will also be online sessions, including live keynotes and developer talks, open to all. Google I/O 2025: What to Expect Android 16 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Google is expected to introduce Android 16. According to online reports, the upcoming Android update may include changes to volume controls, user interface, and tools for users with special needs. It may also support health records, improved screen performance, and stronger privacy settings. A new feature called Advanced Protection Mode may also be introduced. It is rumoured to help users by automatically turning on stronger security steps. Another update expected to come with Android 16 may be Health Connect 2.0 . This feature is said to help apps share health records in a standard format used in the medical field. The update may also allow tracking of physical activity levels and label workouts according to health guidelines. AI and Gemini Updates AI will be a major part of the event. Google may give updates on its Gemini models, including a possible upgrade to Gemini Ultra . This model is expected to offer more features and may come with a higher subscription cost. The company is also rumoured to talk about Astra, a project to build AI tools that can understand and respond across many types of input. Android XR At Google I/O 2025, Google and Samsung may introduce Android XR, a new system for extended reality. This system will combine virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality functions. It is designed for headsets and smart glasses and will use Gemini AI. Google wants other companies to use Android XR, making it a competitor to similar products from Apple and Meta.
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Forbes
Google Updates Android To Stop Dangerous New Phone Hack
Why this update is critical There's a battle now taking place between Google and Apple on one side, and the forensic software industry on the other. Many of the recent attacks against iPhones and Androids that triggered update now warnings have been attributed to the specialist software that compromises a phone to exfiltrate its data. Forensic attacks are physical — they are not the remote access compromises you will also have seen targeting devices, and which exploit vulnerabilities in apps and operating systems to tunnel into a device over the air. Instead, a cable is plugged into a phone and connected to a computer or appliance running software to attack the device. This is why Apple and now Google have both introduced OS updates that restore phones to their 'before first unlock' state if left inactive for 72-hours. If investigators leave phones on shelves or in evidence lockers before working on them, the phones will reboot to disable USB access until unlocked, stopping such attacks. This caused a flurry of headlines when the impact on law enforcement agencies was exposed last year. Whisper it quietly, but investigators now know this and can work around it. Acting on phones sooner after capture or ensuring that no device is allowed to remain dormant long enough to reboot. In games of cat and mouse, new traps have a limited shelf life. This is why Google is upping the ante with Advanced Protection Mode in Android 16. When enabled — and it's off by default — this adds stronger defenses to phones, such as disabling sideloading, 2G cellular and insecure WiFi connections. It also blocks USB connections to phones when they are locked. Toggle this on, and you can connect to any airport or hotel charge point you want, and not worry about so-called juice jacking. Android Authority uncovered the detail behind this new defense in a recent APK teardown, 'that suggests enabling Advanced Protection Mode will also disable USB data signaling when Android is locked… They also explicitly mention how new USB devices can't be used when Android is locked. When a new USB device is plugged in, a notification will appear that warns the user of 'suspicious USB activity'. To use the device, you have to 'unlock Android first and then reinsert [the] USB device to use it'.' Samsung is also enhancing the Maximum Restrictions on its phones by letting users 'choose to block USB connections to prevent any other access through the USB port while the device is locked, except for battery charging.' Again, this setting comes as part of a package that blocks risky wireless connections as well as sideloading. The reality is these measures are needed given the succession of exploits emanating from the forensic industry. But to enable this new protection, Android users will likely need to opt into the cell phone version of its Advanced Protection Program, which will be a step too far for many. The USB block on locked devices should be a standalone option on Androids and iPhones, and it should be enabled by default.
