Android Flaw Leaves 950 Million Phones Vulnerable to Hacks

A San Francisco mobile security firm uncovered a bug that leaves about 80 percent of the world’s smartphones vulnerable to hacks via text message. The computer flaw, nicknamed “Stagefright,” affects Android phones and is being called one of the worst security holes to date for the mobile operating system. The hacker only needs to know a cell phone number to send a malware-infected text message, giving the hacker access to data and photos, and the ability to hijack the phone’s camera and microphone, among other things. Some victims might not even realize they have received a message. What are the implications for Android users?

• More: Major Flaw in Android Phones Would Let Hackers in With Just a Text (NPR)