TECHNOLOGY
How Samsung protects your smartphones from cyberattacks
Posted on Nov. 26, 2021 8:34 p.m.
The smartphone has become the center of how we work, live, and play. For many, it has even become the only thing that we bring out of the home, replacing our laptops, wallets, and even house keys.
While we are generally more mindful today of the dangers posed by hackers to our laptops and computers, we also need to recognize that smartphones are prone to cyberattacks as well. Hackers go where the crowds are and right now, that’s mobile devices. That’s why it’s never been more important to stay safe, and why we’re constantly innovating to protect you and your data against emerging threats.
The billions of smartphones around the world are filled with sensitive personal and business data, providing infinite opportunities for hackers to steal and sell private information. In fact, cybersecurity firm IronNet reported that cyberattacks have increased 168% between May 2020 and May 2021, with attacks on smartphones becoming one of the biggest cybersecurity threats in the Asia Pacific region.
Samsung is committed to keeping users safe and secure, with Samsung Knox providing true end-to-end protection throughout the entire lifecycle of your device. In this article, we explore five potential cyberattack scenarios that could happen when the safety of your device is compromised – and explain how Samsung Knox protects you from these threats, in line with our ethos of placing security at the heart of every decision we make.
Cyberattack Scenario 1: Unauthorized backdoor access
Outside of Samsung, developers routinely create software ‘backdoors’ for apps and even mobile OSes so that they can gain easy access for troubleshooting purposes. However, hackers are able to discover these backdoors, which usually bypass any or all cybersecurity measures on the device in question.
To prevent unauthorized backdoor access, do not download unofficial or unauthorized apps. Downloading software other than what the manufacturer originally installed to gain full access to the device’s operating system could also introduce malware or spyware that leads to unauthorized backdoor access.
How Samsung protects you against this threat: At Samsung, we design, create, and validate every computer chip, every piece of wiring, and every hardware component before using them to manufacture our smart devices in highly secure factories around the world. This chip-up approach gives us control over design, manufacturing, and assembly, ensuring a secure supply chain that prevents unauthorized backdoor access in our devices – resulting in an end product that our users can trust completely.
Cyberattack Scenario 2: Compromised, weak, or re-used passwords
As users continue to create new accounts for digital services, ranging from telehealth services to new ride-hailing and e-commerce platforms, they provide more avenues for hackers to exploit.
An August 2021 survey from IBM found, 86% of consumers in the Asia Pacific admit that they re-use the same credentials across multiple online accounts. This is a poor data privacy habit – just one attack could leave a user’s entire internet footprint vulnerable to hackers.
How Samsung protects you against this threat: Samsung’s devices are equipped with innovative biometric authentication technology, such as Ultrasonic Fingerprint so that access to your data can be protected even if your device is lost or stolen. Known as Samsung Pass, this biometric authentication tool also lets users easily access log-in credentials without the need to remember countless usernames and passwords. To take data protection to the next level, we have also equipped our devices with Knox Vault, a secure processor that operates independently from the main CPU. Knox Vault securely isolates your biometrics data from the rest of your phone, so no one can get their hands on your data.
Cyberattack Scenario 3: Free Wi-Fi may not be so free after all
Free Wi-Fi hotspots are a boon for everyone who needs access to the Internet on their mobile devices for work or play. However, public Wi-Fi services provide an opportunity for hackers to steal data, as the data that you send across the web – such as credit card information for online purchases – might first pass through the hands of a hacker via a public Wi-Fi network.
How Samsung protects you against this threat: For everyday browsing, Secure Wi-Fi encrypts outgoing internet traffic and disables tracking apps and websites. It allows you to browse the internet safely on public wireless connections without fear of security breaches.
Cyberattack Scenario 4: Phishing attacks compromising sensitive data
Phishing is a type of attack in which cybercriminals trick victims into handing over sensitive information or installing malware, disguised as links, attachments, or even legitimate apps, on their devices.
Once hackers have access to your sensitive information, they could use it to demand a ransom from you, steal your personal information, carry out other vices, or make purchases with your credit card information, for instance.
How Samsung protects you against this threat: Device Protection in Samsung Device Care continuously scans your device for malware or suspicious activity and alerts you when you mistakenly install malicious apps through detection via the McAfee protection.
Additionally, the Samsung Secure Folder keeps data secure and isolates problematic apps within the folder to keep apps away from users’ personal information.
Meanwhile, when you’re purchasing with Samsung Pay on your mobile device, your card information is encrypted and completely isolated to protect it at all times.
Cyberattack Scenario 5: Zero-day vulnerability
As hackers and cyber attackers are constantly trying to hack into devices, they are always on the lookout for zero-day vulnerabilities. A zero-day vulnerability is a vulnerability in a system or device that has been discovered but is not yet patched. This can be particularly dangerous as cybercriminals target the flaws in a system before developers or the public are aware it even exists.
How Samsung protects you against this threat: Samsung Knox offers real-time protection, always actively protecting your devices against data attacks or malware. This means that unauthorized attempts to access or modify your phone’s core is blocked in real-time.
When users reboot their Samsung smartphone, Secure Boot is activated to detect any unauthorized software and block attempts to compromise the device through multi-layered, defense-grade security. If the smartphone is booted in an unapproved state, Samsung Knox will automatically lock-up apps containing sensitive data such as Samsung Pay, Samsung Pass, Secure Folder, or Samsung Health.
Looking ahead to a more secure future
The smartphone has become a key part of our digital lives, whether from home, in the classroom, or even in the office. With new cyber-threat vectors continuously putting us at risk, we need to stay vigilant and play an active role in keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe in this digital world.
Security does not just stop at smartphones for Samsung, as Knox protection also extends to the smart appliances in Samsung’s portfolio for an additional layer of protection. This means that your Samsung smart appliances are protected and secured, whether you are mirroring the video you are watching on your Galaxy device with the SmartView app to the screen on your Family Hub™ or using the AI function on your AI EcoBubble washing machine to calibrate optimal wash settings.
As a Samsung user, you can be assured that you have a digital partner committed to world-class security and privacy standards – keeping you safe while you work, study, and play.
To know more about how Samsung Knox protects your devices from cyberattacks, watch Samsung Knox: Collective Protection or read it at samsung.com/ph/news/local/how-samsung-protects-your-smartphones-from-cyberattacks/.
TECHNOLOGY
5-star drop-resistant HONOR X6b now available in PH exclusively on Shopee starting this 9.9 for only P5,399!
1:10 p.m. September 7, 2024
Wait there’s more! HONOR X6b has a Piso Sale on September 9 to 11 at exactly 12 midnight!
Leading global smart devices provider, HONOR, finally announced the availability of HONOR X6b exclusively on Shopee Super Shopping Day on September 9 for Php 5,399. And if you get lucky, you can get the HONOR X6b during Piso Sale on 9.9 Flash Sale!
“Durability is now more affordable with HONOR X6b! If you’re eyeing an entry level smartphone that is drop-resistant, long lasting, and efficient with battery capsule, the HONOR X6b is perfect for you! In an exclusive launch with Shopee on 9.9, we are offering exciting deals that kickstart the holiday limbo as early as September!” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
Putting the HONOR X6b into a durability test, media partners and KOLs witness how the smartphone can withstand impacts at Studio 300, Makati, with HONOR X6b phones being aimed at in bowling, billiards, and soccer. Thanks to its comprehensive 360° protection across all six faces and four corners of the device, certified by SGS with industry-leading 5-Star Drop-Resistant Quality.
LONG LASTING 5200MAH BATTERY AND 35W HONOR SUPERCHARGE
Offering up to two days of light daily usage on a single charge, the HONOR X6b houses a large 5200mAh battery to power the power-efficient MediaTek Helio G85 at the core of the smartphone. The battery is also highly energy-dense at 731wh/L, fitting in the 8.39mm thin chassis that feels just right in the hand. Whether it’s for listening to music or browsing social media, the HONOR X6b stays powered for longer, with up to 26 hours of online streaming or 27 hours of social media engagement.
Moreover, charging is no longer a waiting game with the 35W HONOR SuperCharge technology. Users can activate the Turbo charging mode in a single tap and achieve a 20% charge in just 10 minutes.
MAGIC CAPSULE AND LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY
The HONOR X6b is one of the HONOR devices equipped with the Magic Capsule. The Magic capsule is located at the top of the screen shaped like a “capsule” presenting ongoing tasks, notifications, recording, clock, and more interactions.
The Magic Capsule can shrink into a “little ball” after displaying for some time and can be expanded when checking detailed status of quick operations.
Storage space is abundant in the HONOR X6b, which boasts 256GB of internal memory. This expansive storage can house over 60,000 photos, more than 24,000 songs, or over 200 movies, ensuring that users’ favorite content is always within reach. Enhancing its performance, the HONOR X6b features HONOR RAM Turbo technology, which effectively doubles the available RAM from 6GB to 12GB by utilizing a portion of the flash memory. This innovation allows for smoother multitasking and enhances the user experience.
Check out the HONOR X6b from your Shopee baskets on September 9-11 via livestream at HONOR’s Facebook page and HONOR’s Official Shopee Page and get the smartphone for only 1-peso at midnight! Moreover, the HONOR X6b is also available for only Php 5,999 as an early bird promo with FREE Earbuds II worth Php 1,299.
Don’t worry if you miss the midnight sale and early bird promo, the HONOR X6b is discounted at Php 5,399 on September 9 and during flash sales from September 10 to September 19 exclusively on Shopee. Check it out here https://shopee.ph/product/66540358/28407883555/
For more exciting announcements, check out HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
TECHNOLOGY
Tiny pad, mighty fun: Xiaomi launches Redmi Pad SE 8.7
10:44 p.m. September 2, 2024
XIAOMI recently announced the launch of its latest tablet, the Redmi Pad SE 8.7, designed to deliver an immersive theater-like experience in a device that’s super portable.
Its biggest feature is its stunning 8.7-inch display. Enjoy clear and vibrant visuals on the eye-protecting display, which features up to 600 nits of brightness and a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth and seamless scrolling and gaming. The 8.7-inch screen also creates a 5:3 aspect ratio that’s wider than the standard 16:9, making it better for all your favorite content.
The tablet also features comfortable immersion with its low blue light and flicker-free display which reduces eye strain and increases visual comfort. It also has Paper Reading mode to simulate the actual booklike paper experience, while retaining Classic Mode for a typical digital feel.
For a truly theater-like sound, the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 also has Dolby Atmos® technology that delivers rich and detailed sound for a truly cinematic experience. It has 2TB of built-in storage for all your favorite video content from your usual platforms.
The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 also comes with an octa-core MediaTek Helio G85 processor, which ensures seamless and reliable multitasking and gaming, while the 6,650mAh battery provides long-lasting power that lasts up to 25.2 hours when playing video. The battery fills up fast with 18W fast charging support, getting you from 0 to 100% in just 140 minutes.
It also comes in three vibrant colors: Graphite Gray, Aurora Green, and Sky Blue. It’s also slim and lightweight at only 8.8-mm and 373 grams for easy portability.
The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is now available on Shopee (Xiaomi Global Store) with a special Early Bird Promo until September 4. Get the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 WiFi 4+128GB for P6,399 (down from the SRP of P7,999). The 4+64GB variant is available for a special promo price of P5,399 (from P6,999 SRP).
Find out for yourself the true portable theater experience with the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 today! Learn more about it by visiting http://mi.com/ph.
TECHNOLOGY
Kickstart your side hustles with Maya Personal Loan
8:22 a.m. September 1, 2024
BEEN dreaming of opening your own coffee shop or launching an online store but stuck without the funds? Fret not! With the Personal Loan product of Maya, the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, turning your side venture into reality is effortless with just a few taps.
Boost Your Funds for your Side Hustle
Currently in early access and available to select users, Maya Personal Loan offers up to ₱250,000 with flexible repayment terms of up to 24 months and an incredibly low add-on rate of just 0.77% per month. Whether you’re planning to launch a new business, invest in essential equipment, or enhance your skills through a course, this loan gives you the capital you need to thrive.
Borrow Without the Hassle
Applying for your Maya Personal Loan is simple and stress-free! All you need is your upgraded Maya account to get started—no additional paperwork, collateral, or guarantor required. Once approved, the funds are transferred directly to your Maya Wallet, giving you instant access to the money you need.
Say goodbye to long approval processes and hello to a streamlined, hassle-free experience. Here’s how to get started:
Open your Maya app, go to the Loans tab, and start the application process by tapping ‘Apply now.’
Enter your desired loan amount, complete the application process, and wait for feedback on your eligibility.
Choose your loan offer and tap ‘Accept’ if you’re happy with the terms.
Enter a One-Time Pin (OTP) to authorize the loan disbursement.
Manage Your Loan with Ease
Managing your loan is a breeze with the Maya app. You can settle your dues directly from your Maya Wallet, which helps you maintain a good credit score. Plus, Maya’s top-notch security ensures your funds are safe, so you can focus on growing your side hustle with peace of mind.
Ready to make your next big life move? Apply for a Maya Personal Loan today and give your side hustle the boost it needs to succeed. Keep using Maya for your transactions to stay on track and become eligible for more loan opportunities. For more information, visit maya.ph and mayabank.ph, and stay connected by following @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
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