Cyber threats targeting mobile devices have been growing in volume and sophistication. This has led to more victims falling prey to scams and identity thefts. In fact, scam victims in Singapore lost a record $1.1 billion last year – a 70 per cent increase from the $651.8 million lost in 2023.
In a mobile-first world, the open nature of platforms like Android continue to empower developers and users with greater flexibility and customisation – a draw for those seeking to personalise their mobile experience. However, this openness, combined with Android's large user base and the ability to install apps from sources outside of official stores, has also made Android phones a target for bad actors.
Security should never be an afterthought
To ensure that Galaxy users are able to use their devices with a peace of mind, Samsung has developed Samsung Knox, a cutting-edge mobile security platform built into the device’s hardware.
Having racked up more government and third-party certifications than any other device, platform or OS, Knox is packed with features to empower users and guard both personal and business data. To date, it secures over two billion Samsung devices, manages more than 150 million devices and supports over 35,000 businesses worldwide.
Integrated directly into the device’s hardware, Samsung Knox delivers next-level mobile security for Galaxy users. PHOTO: SAMSUNG
To discover how Samsung Knox protects Galaxy users, we look at some of the most common mobile security threats, and the Samsung Knox features designed to protect against them.
Lock up your sensitive data from the get-go
Mobile devices store all kinds of private data such as images, confidential work information and more, which may be at risk of unauthorised access and theft. This could be as simple as a friend accessing a device and seeing something not meant for them or a hacker trying to access your personal files, apps and private photos.
To protect against this, Samsung Galaxy users can activate Secure Folder, an encrypted, locked space separate from the rest of the device. This ensures that confidential information remains private, even if a malicious app or a bad actor gains access to the rest of the device.
Secure Folder has the highest level of security thanks to Samsung Knox, where your sensitive information or files are kept in a private, encrypted space on the Galaxy smartphone. PHOTO: SAMSUNG
What about when devices are sent for repair? Samsung’s Maintenance Mode allows users to block access to on-device information, including documents, messages, contacts and photos, ensuring that data remains secure.
On a work device managed by the company, businesses can activate Android Work Profile, a feature that separates business apps and content from personal apps and content. This allows users to securely and privately use the same device for work and personal purposes – the corporate IT admin manages the work-related profile, while all personal apps and content are kept separate and private.
Both Secure Folder and Android Work Profile can co-exist within a Galaxy device, without critical data being cross-shared, which keeps work and life separate.
Defend against malicious apps and sideloading
While most mobile users get their apps from official app stores, some users choose to download apps from other sources, a process called sideloading.
Although there are legitimate reasons why people do this, such as wanting to customise their device, apps from unverified app stores or websites run the risk of being malware. These malicious sideloaded apps typically grant access to sensitive data and processes, potentially giving attackers access to a device and its data.
With Samsung Knox, Galaxy users are protected by Auto Blocker right out of the box (for devices with Android 14 or later). This security tool, currently available as part of Samsung’s OneUI 6.0, prevents app installations from unauthorised sources and helps detect potential malware on the device.
This provides an additional layer of protection for users against intended attacks, ahead of the ongoing anti-scam trial by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and Google, which aims to block all Android users from downloading apps from unverified sources.
Galaxy device users have the option of switching Auto Blocker on to protect their device and personal data against malicious attacks from unauthorised app installation. PHOTO: SAMSUNG
Beyond offering protection against malicious apps, Samsung Knox also provides runtime protection and a tamper fuse, which fortifies devices against unauthorised modifications by carefully monitoring the device while it's up and running.
Furthermore, when users receive image files from messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp that may contain potential threats, Samsung’s Message Guard pre-emptively isolates and processes the files to prevent harm to the device.
For businesses, Samsung has partnered with Microsoft to enable IT teams to not only remotely monitor the integrity of their device fleet, but also verify that devices have not been compromised. This is made possible thanks to the first on-device, mobile hardware-backed attestation solution, a feature that works on both company-owned and personal Galaxy devices.
Patch vulnerabilities in outdated apps and operating system
Patches and updates often include fixes to known security vulnerabilities, but some users are reluctant to install them when prompted. This can be due to the perceived inconvenience of downloading and installing them or, in other cases, a lack of understanding about the importance of such updates. In either case, outdated software and firmware can leave devices vulnerable to exploitation.
With security as part of Samsung’s DNA, Samsung Knox has been working hard at the backend to keep individuals and businesses safe on their Galaxy devices.
All Samsung Galaxy devices introduced since 2024 – including the mid-range models – receive up to seven years of security and operating system updates, regardless of carrier. Notably, the Galaxy S25 Series goes a step further, with support extended to eight years of updates.
Businesses can opt to schedule updates across their fleet with the help of Samsung Knox E-FOTA, or rely on the feature to force over-the-air updates to their device fleet. This allows businesses the flexibility to manage updates when it suits them, without the worry of whether a forced update will disrupt business-critical apps.
In addition, Knox Asset Intelligence (KAI) gives businesses in-depth analysis and complete visibility of their fleet’s security patch status and which devices are impacted by certain vulnerabilities, allowing them to make informed decisions about what actions are best for them.
Samsung has also rolled out One UI 7 which introduces even more Knox security features, offering users greater choice and transparency within an integrated security experience.
For businesses looking for an even more robust set-up, Samsung has recently introduced the Galaxy Enterprise Edition for the Galaxy S25 Series. Designed for end-to-end fleet management, it offers three years of enhanced business support and up to seven years of security maintenance releases – giving businesses the confidence to run operations smoothly with consistent, timely security updates.
Find out more about how Samsung Knox can protect you.
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