Hasta La Gadget!

Back in 2013, security researchers discovered a vulnerability in Samsung’s KNOX security suite (Samsung’s answer to BlackBerry Balance), leaving many Samsung owners a little paranoid over privacy and safety concerns. Well the good news is that Samsung has finally managed to address the issue, and according to the South Korean tech giant, it seems that this is nothing to worry about. For those learning about the vulnerability in KNOX for the first time, it seems that hackers who know about the exploit will be able to monitor data communications and also access emails, which for some users could be costly as their emails might contain highly sensitive information.

According to Samsung, they claim that the “exploit uses legitimate Android network functions in an unintended way to intercept unencrypted network connections from/to applications on the mobile device.” Basically what they’re saying is that this is not an issue with KNOX or Android, but rather a  “Man in the middle” attack which Samsung’s KNOX will most definitely protect again. For the layman all the use of this technical jargon does seem a little confusing, but we guess what Samsung is trying to say is that KNOX users will not have anything to worry about as far as the security of their data is concerned.

Considering that government bodies like the Pentagon had approved the use of Galaxy devices as long as they had KNOX installed should also offer some measure of assurance of its security, right?

Samsung Responds To KNOX Security Concerns original content from Ubergizmo.

Samsung’s Knox security solution has tended to mostly garner headlines when the company’s phones get approval from the likes of the US Defense Department, but it’s now set to broaden its user base considerably. In addition to announcing that it’s bolstering the offering with some help from Lookout, Samsung has also confirmed today that its opening the platform up to all consumers. That will give security-minded users an added layer of protection, with Knox letting you store personal data and run a set of pre-screened apps in a so-called container — other apps can still be run outside the container, but with only limited access to your personal information. Naturally, you’ll need a Samsung device to take advantage of it. The company says all of its upcoming devices will offer support for the service, and it’s promising to provide details on commercial availability for the Galaxy S III, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note II “shortly.”

Filed under: Cellphones, Samsung

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Source: Samsung

Last month we reported that Samsung Galaxy S4 will not ship with the company’s Knox security software at launch. The delay in launch was because Samsung decided to further test the software both internally and with its carrier partners. Samsung confirmed the delay and clarified that while Galaxy S4 ships with Knox’s framework components installed, activation lies with solution providers. Samsung has now confirmed that it has activated Knox security software, activation for the end user ultimately rests in the hands of their mobile carrier. The company says that commercial availability of Know depends on B2B contracts.

Knox is almost similar in functionality to BlackBerry Balance, which allows users to use their corporate and personal accounts on the same device and easily switch between the two through passwords. BlackBerry has always touted the enhanced security of its platform, but manufacturers such as Samsung are continuously eroding its share in that particular niche as well. Only recently Samsung Galaxy devices were approved for use by the Pentagon, these devices come with Knox pre-installed. With the increasing popularity of Samsung’s devices, having a stable and solid security software on their high-end smartphones will open up new avenues of business with companies and corporations.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Alleged Sony Xperia i1 Honami Specs Leaked, Nokia EOS Rumored For 14th May Announcement As Well,

Our armed forces began embracing Android and iOS some time ago, and now it appears that the US Department of Defense is finally jumping on the bandwagon, too. The Wall Street Journal reports that the DoD will be announcing security approvals for Samsung Galaxy handsets, iPhones and iPads in the next couple weeks — allowing them to join BlackBerry in the government’s secure smartphone stable. Apparently, Samsung’s approval was facilitated by its Knox security platform, which has been deemed secure enough to allow it to be used to send and receive internal emails, and Apple devices running iOS 6 and up are also expected to get the go-ahead for nonclassified communications. So, people of the Pentagon, it looks like it’s only a matter of time before you can put down your BB7 handset and pick up a smartphone with a more modern OS.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: Wall Street Journal

The Galaxy S 4 launch was also supposed to mark the release of Knox, Samsung’s plan to balance home life and work through software. Unfortunately, Galaxy owners will have to live slightly off-kilter for a while longer — the company has officially delayed full Knox service to a “later date.” While the GS 4 ships with the necessary underpinnings, both distributors and providers have to fall into place before the suite is completely ready. Samsung hasn’t officially said when it expects Knox to arrive in earnest, although the New York Times claims that it may appear as late as July. Whether or not that’s true, the setback adds to what’s becoming a hitch-prone debut for Samsung’s 2013 Android flagship.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: New York Times