Bea Beltran Tech 02.08.2023 22:Feb PM EST

Android 14 Comes with Tighter Security that Prevents Abuse of Permissions from Malware

There are certain variants of malware that are able to access sensitive user data through app permissions. The latest operating system, Android 14, will tackle that issue with its security and privacy enhancements, and more.

Android 14 Security

The update lets apps declare how they will use a device's features, limit the data exchange, and additional files will be "read-only." Mainly, it will block malicious apps that target older Android versions from being installed which prevents the abuse of sensitive permissions.

Malware often targets older API levels since they do not have the security and privacy protections that newer Android versions have, as mentioned by Google. It will also restrict "intents" that have no specific recipient. It also prevents interception of intents from other apps.

In order to avoid the interception or misuse of broadcasts for other apps when a phone has a malicious app, the Android 14 security measures still use the "Context.registerReceiver()" feature that can also be found in previous Android versions.

According to Bleeping Computer, malware that targets previous SDK versions can specify it in the manifest XML file. Since apps usually ask permission when using device features like camera, microphone, and more, it's easy for users to overlook the permission and approve.

The security measures for permissions will not allow users to download apps that haven't been updated for a while. Although, the apps that the user already installed prior to updating to Android 14 will still work.

The new operating system is still in the first developer preview stage, and more security features may be revealed in the second developer preview in March. However, you can already install the first developer preview if you want.

Installing Android 14

You can already download the developer preview if you have an eligible Google Pixel device with a locked bootloader. You can download the developer preview build provided by XDA developers with their given index on Google Pixel models.

Download it on your computer and you can rename the file to a simpler name like "Android 14" to find it easier. Place the file in the directory where you can find the ADB on your computer. Verify the SHA-256 checksum just to make sure that the download is correct and complete.

Head to Settings, then About Phone, tap on Builder Number, and enter your security password to enable the Developer Options. Once that's done, go back to Settings, then to Developer Options, and enable USB Debugging.

You can now connect your phone to your computer and authorize the connection once the prompt appears on your phone if you're connecting with the ADB for the first time. On your computer, run the command "adb reboot recovery."

If you see "No Command" on your phone, press the Power button and hold, and then press the Volume up button and release both quickly. The Android recovery menu will appear and you can select "Apply Update from ADB" in the recovery menu.

After that, run the command "adb devices" on your computer. The device serial will appear with the word "sideload" next to it, which means that your device is connected to the computer in sideload mode. Run the command "adb sideload [downloaded Android 14 filename].zip"

The update will be installed on your phone. Once the installation is done, tap on Reboot System Now" on your phone to reboot from the Android 13 system. After that, you'll have the Android 14 Developer Preview ready to go.