Khaberni - Recent reports have revealed a shocking figure that highlights once again a chronic security crisis in the Android system, as "StatCounter" data indicates that more than 30% of Android users worldwide are still operating on Android 13 or older versions, which were first released in 2022 and no longer receive direct security support from "Google".
According to these estimates, about one billion active Android devices are currently operating without regular security updates, making them an easy target for cyber-attacks aimed at stealing passwords and personal data, according to a report published by "phonearena" and reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
The specter of Android fragmentation re-emerges
Zimperium, a cybersecurity firm, confirms that the problem is deeper than it appears, noting that at any given time of the year, more than 50% of mobile devices operate on outdated operating systems, with a large number of them being hacked or infected with malware.
The danger lies in the fact that phones that have lost their security support no longer receive the monthly updates that patch the newly discovered vulnerabilities.
For example, the December Android security update alone fixed 107 vulnerabilities, which means that unsupported devices remain completely exposed to these risks.
By contrast, a striking comparison with the iOS system, as "StatCounter" indicates that about 90% of active iPhones globally still receive updates from "Apple", while only 10% have fallen out of the support circle.
Experts attribute this significant difference to the Android fragmentation issue, where hundreds of companies produce phones operating on the system, compared to just one developer who controls the entire iPhone ecosystem.
Known vulnerabilities without repair
"Security Boulevard" clarifies that this reality creates a worrying pattern, as vulnerabilities become known and documented, but remain widely exploitable until updates, if they ever arrive, reach all devices.
Unlike "Apple", which can update millions of phones at the push of a button, Android updates face complex technical challenges, starting from differences in processors to the custom user interfaces of each manufacturing company.
Your data is at risk
The danger of losing security support increases with the escalation of attacks targeting users' data, especially banking application passwords and sensitive services. Security experts warn against underestimating the matter, even if the attacks seem limited.
James Maude, a researcher at BeyondTrust, stated in an article for "Forbes" that what appear as limited attacks today will quickly become fundamental tools in the arsenal of hackers, explaining that attackers precisely know which devices are unprotected and target them directly.
Is it time to upgrade?
In light of these facts, specialists believe that keeping an Android phone that has lost its security support is no longer just a technical issue, but a real risk to privacy and security.
Moving to a newer device, despite its cost, may be a necessary investment to protect personal data, and perhaps the best money that can be spent, as some experts put it.
