Original Google Pixel to Get the Last Update this December
The first generation of Google Pixel devices has finally reached the end of life, and one last security patch will arrive in December. Starting with 2020, any new vulnerability found with these phones (or the OS they run) won’t be fixed or even acknowledged by Google.
Google Pixel was released in the fall of 2016 and marked the switch from Nexus phones to the Pixel line, which was also built in-house. After three years of support, Google is finally ready to pull the plug, and the company will deliver one last security update in December, according to The Verge.
The company initially said that Google Pixel would have two years of security support, but extended that duration to three years. In fact, their support page says that they don’t guarantee any new Android versions past October 2018. Still, somehow, the original Pixel was among the devices that received the new operating system released in October 2019.
When a company terminates support for a mobile device, nothing happens with the devices. They continue to run, but with a caveat. Any vulnerability identified in the Android operating system, including the latest version, will remain unpatched, exposing users to potential attackers.
The only way to mitigate that problem is to use a mobile anti-malware solution, such as Bitdefender, which will add a layer of protection, prolonging the life of the phone. It’s worth mentioning that Google might issues some patches in the future for Google Pixel if the vulnerability identified poses a major security risk to users.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from HOTforSecurity authored by Silviu STAHIE. Read the original post at: https://hotforsecurity.bitdefender.com/blog/original-google-pixel-to-get-the-last-update-this-december-21753.html
