Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
rkstudio
Enthusiast - Level 1

surprised that the verizon site does not mention the vulnerability. Also awaiting patch.

Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
bizzareone
Specialist - Level 1

Why would Verizon announce the vulnerability that is within the programing of the phones? Google announced it because it was google's code that is vulnerable.

It has been stated here before that Verizon does not code the phones, they provide wireless service. The manufactures have the fix right now and when they are done with it they will release it to the carriers to get put on the phones.

Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
authentic1
Enthusiast - Level 2

Google announced it, but the carriers have to 'push' the patch to it's

customers, which costs them. They haven't offered it to their customers,

and whenever I talk to Verizon, they are either acting dumb and just

stick to their new-speak talking points, or they actually ARE pretty obtuse.

Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
danny_morgan
Enthusiast - Level 2

The group that discovered the StageFright bug are publishing the code in the next couple of days and I'd like to understand what Verizon is going to do to protect its users, especially since they don't seem to want to upgrade the firmware for phones that are older (2 years?)... I have a Note2 and still on 4.4 although 5 has been out for well over a year.

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Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
derrydavis
Enthusiast - Level 3

Actually there were cases where the vendor was allow to bypass the carrier for a security patch. Thanks to Tidbits for this info. But most customers, myself included, will come to Verizon because they are who I do business with for my cellular service. In my case it's up to Motorola to grab the 'bits' of code from Google, test it against their devices, and provide the necessary patches. Verizon then can either do the push to devices on their network or allow the vendor to provide the patch directly to the customer.  I'm not sure exactly how the last part works though since I've never had this happen to one of my devices.

Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
GC73
Enthusiast - Level 2

I am also very concerned about this. If not patched in a very timely manner, I feel I would have no choice but to abandon my preferred Android device and switch to IPhone. If Verizon and other carriers do not get with the program and start updating Android devices in a timely manner, it's going to cost them an AWFUL lot of money when millions of people stop buying Android phones...

Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
Tidbits
Legend

Much like the HTC One heartbleed, and the Samsung keyboard exploit. Those were updated without carrier involvement. They were pushed out by the manufacturer. HTC said it's coming with their next update. All other manufacturers are quiet. Until the manufacturers say anything carriers will not know as they don't touch the code. That's like me asking you guys "do you know when Android M is going to be released?" Only Google can give you any real hint right? Relax it will be patched but leverage the manufacturer would get better results than leveraging the carrier.

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Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
Tidbits
Legend

GC73 wrote:

I am also very concerned about this. If not patched in a very timely manner, I feel I would have no choice but to abandon my preferred Android device and switch to IPhone. If Verizon and other carriers do not get with the program and start updating Android devices in a timely manner, it's going to cost them an AWFUL lot of money when millions of people stop buying Android phones...

Carriers make money off their services...  If people don't want Android devices they'll get other devices.  People will pay the same regardless of what carrier they are with.  The only way carriers will lose any real money if people stopped getting cell phone services which people are so self reliant and caught up on the conveniences they'll never do it.

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Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
Waimon
Contributor - Level 3

This is not a carrier problem but an operating system problem which means it should be in googles androids hands to get this fixed. This is no different than anything else out there if you do not use virus protection on your gadgets to keep them running bug free. This is nothing different than emails that have viruses now it is being pushed out to text messages and why you ask because they are almost the same thing as an email. So this is no surprise and does not bother me. For one I do not download attachments in emails or in mms messages in order for them to infect my phone or computer. Just use some sense and do not open things you do not know what is or who they are from. That will prevent any infection on your phone or computer. And with virus protection will also help in case you do make that mistake. Come on people this is not news I thought about this three years ago and thought it could be done. But I am not hacker and do not make or spread viruses as that is nothing but bad news. Anyone with a computer should of known this was coming. Operating system developers have got to get better with their software.

Re: Will Verizon release a patch for the recently announced vulnerability of Android phones to hacking via text?
GC73
Enthusiast - Level 2

I believe carriers get higher profit margins, still, on Android phones versus iPhone, so they would still make money if people switch but possibly less. My point is that the prevailing sentiment is that carriers drag their feet on releasing updates because they view doing so as costly/unprofitable. If they stop making as much money on their phones, though, because people get upset or don't want to leave themselves vulnerable to this type of thing and  switch to IPhone or something else the carriers have less control of, maybe the carriers will realize it's not profitable to neglect their customers. I really prefer Android but not if it leaves me open to this easy and serious an attack. I've turned off auto download of MMS messages for now, but that's an annoying and dubious long term solution.