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Samsung April 2023 update will address Exynos modem vulnerability
Galaxy devices are unquestionably secure in the Android segment, thanks to Samsung’s commitment to security. And Samsung has now officially commented on the Exynos modem vulnerability debate and confirmed that it will be addressed with the upcoming April 2023 security update.
According to the info, Samsung is aware of the Exynos modem vulnerabilities and their causes on user privacy. Google’s Project Zero team discovered 18 vulnerabilities in the Samsung Exynos modem of which 6 are applicable on Galaxy devices, while the remaining one will be fixed with the April 2023 update.
The company’s in-charge reiterated that “Samsung takes the safety of our customers very seriously.” The company found that 6 Exynos modem vulnerabilities “may potentially impact” select Galaxy devices, however, none of these are leveled “severe/critical.”
Samsung’s March 2023 patch already fixed 5 of those 6 discovered Exynos modem vulnerabilities. Prior to the update rollout, the company recommended users keep devices updated with the latest software to ensure the highest level of protection possible.
Google compiled a list of devices that may be affected by the Exynos modem vulnerability, which includes the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, S22 Ultra, M33, M13, M12, A71, A53, A33, A21, A13, A12, and A04/A04s. Besides, the Galaxy smartwatches running Wear OS are also on the list.
Per reports, some of the critical Exynos modem vulnerabilities require certain 5G features to be turned on to make an impact on devices. So as a temporary solution, you can turn off Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE features on your Galaxy device.
April 2023 Patch
Over the past few months, it was noticed that Samsung is delaying the latest patch’s rollout for Galaxy devices. The company first lets Google detail Android security bulletin, then it starts to push the firmware for Galaxies. Still, we believe Samsung’s April patch may go live for affected devices by the first week of next month.
More on Samsung Exynos Modem vulnerability:
Eyeing Exynos advancements, Samsung joined RISC-V, an open-source software development project to build and spread an advanced semiconductor ecosystem. Recently, the company announced that it has become a member of the operating board of directors for “RISC-V.”
To be noted RISC-V is an open source software development project launched by the Linux Foundation, an open source non-profit organization. This is an organization launched to develop software using RISC-V, n open source (open) semiconductor design asset (IP, Intellectual Property).
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Including Samsung, global IT and semiconductor companies such as Google, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm are participating. Companies participating in the RISE project, including Samsung, plan to jointly develop software based on RISC-V.
“We will participate in the RISE project and collaborate with other companies to build a sustainable RISC-V-based open source software ecosystem,” said Park Soo-hong, head of the Open Source Group at Samsung Research and a member of the Linux Foundation board of directors.
It is easy to implement applications or services, which operate on RISC-V-based chipsets, and resources required for development and maintenance can be reduced. It’s expected to be used in various fields such as mobile, home appliances, data centers, and vehicle applications.
Meanwhile, RISE operating board members include Samsung Electronics, Google, Intel, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Red Hat, Mediatek, Andes, and Imae Thirteen companies including Imagination Rivos, SiFive, Ventana, T-Head are Samsung participating.
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Samsung Biometric Card IC is an all-in-one security solution, which offers biometric cards a variety of things they need to make everyday transactions safer and PIN free. Notably, this technology was selected as a winner of the CES 2023 Best of Innovation Awards in the Cybersecurity & Personal Privacy category.
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Let’s take a look at how Samsung Biometric Card IC can make card transactions PIN free and convenient, solving one of the world’s most pressing payment and identification problems. The video mentioned below gives you a high-level understanding of how it will change the way people pay in the future.
What the video below:
Samsung Biometric Card IC
An innovative payment card technology called a biometric card offers cardholders a secure and convenient way to authenticate themselves at the point of sale (POS) by using their fingerprint instead of a personal identification number (PIN) or signature.
Cardholders don’t need to enter a PIN for high-value transactions, making transactions faster and easier. An added layer of security reduces concerns about the card or PIN theft and increases confidence in using the card, especially when traveling because you don’t have to worry about fraudulent payments even if your card is stolen or lost.
Samsung’s latest Galaxy S23 series brings some of the best camera smartphones out there. Following the launch, it was noticed that the non-Ultra models of Samsung Galaxy S23 have some issues, causing blurry close-up shots, which are now officially acknowledged.
What’s the issue?
Some Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus smartphone users noticed that the area around the subject looks a bit blurred when taking a close-up shot. The impact of this problem is limited to both low-end models of the lineup, while the Ultra remains issue-free.
What’s the reason?
Samsung disclosed through its community post that Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus use a 50-megapixel primary camera powered by AI features and machine learning. The blurry close-up problem causes due to the sensor’s bright aperture, which makes stunning Nitghtography possible.
Fix coming in the future!
Samsung not only explained the issue and shared the reason, but also confirmed that the blurry close-up shots problem on Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus is planned to improve (fix) in a future software update. However, when this software update will release, remains a question for now.
Workarounds
If you are experiencing this on your Samsung Galaxy S23 or S23+, there are a few solutions you can try:
- Try taking a picture from a bit further away; if the subject you are photographing is about 30 cm away, move back a hand’s width
- Try to take a photo holding the phone vertically; if you hold the phone horizontally or diagonally, the background may appear blurred.
Why S23 Ultra is unimpacted?
Galaxy S23 Ultra remains unimpacted from the blurry shot issue as its camera automatically switches to the wide-angle camera and activates the focus booster to prevent blur. But do note that the focus enhancer stops working in high-resolution image mode, possibly resulting in a blurry close-up.