Google has announced two critical security vulnerabilities in its Android operating system, affecting versions 13 through 16. The American tech giant has stated that evidence suggests these flaws are already being actively exploited, allowing hackers to gain full control over infected devices or disable them. Users can check if their device is secure by navigating to «Settings» -> «About Phone» and tapping on «Android Version». The date shown under «Android Security Update» is the primary indicator. Google confirmed that all security updates released from December 5th onwards address these vulnerabilities. The company has already rolled out security patches for its Pixel devices. For other Android manufacturers, the timing of security updates depends entirely on the individual company. Users are advised to regularly check for available software updates in «Settings» -> «System» -> «System updates» and install them immediately when they become available. As these updates can be large and take time to install, Google recommends ensuring a stable Wi-Fi connection and that the device's battery is at least 75% charged before starting. The best practice is to keep the phone or tablet plugged in during the update search and installation process.
