Samsung Galaxy S7 still safe/functional to use?

My wife has an S7 that she does not want to give up. I believe it received its last security update and will not receive any more in the future. She doesn’t do any banking or anything else but text, phone calls, chrome, and Google maps. Would it be reasonable safe to use still? Will she lose some functionality in the future? I read some where that some secure websites might not load in the future on the S7 but can’t find that article now. Thanks

Conversation 11 comments

  • j5

    Premium Member
    01 January, 2021 - 4:28 pm

    <p>I have 2 Samsung S7 Edges. We keep them as backup phones. I've had to use it for a couple of weeks last year and it was fine. I just used apps from major companies. Didn't click on suspicious links. My phone and data were fine.</p><p><br></p><p>I could be wrong but the vulnerabilities come into play when something about the version of Andriod is exploited but the user has to do something on their part on the phone to execute that exploit. Such as download a compromised app, go to a compromised website, or click a link they get via text. But If she's just doing the "basics" I think she'd be fine. Especially if she's not doing any banking or anything like that on it.</p><p><br></p><p>My wife is the same. She hates it when I upgrade our phones and hates when a new iOS comes out because she has to learn new things or gets frustrated when things aren't where she put them. You're not alone lol!</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      02 January, 2021 - 1:05 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#604631">In reply to j5:</a></em></blockquote><p>For attacks through SMS or email, the malicious object just needs to arrive on the phone. </p><p>In the past, adverts on well known sites have been compromised. I think one of the big US papers was caught out, NYT? But I can't remember off the top of my head. </p><p>That said, in this case, the risks are probably fairly low. </p>

      • j5

        Premium Member
        02 January, 2021 - 11:14 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#604715">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>Oh OK, I thought you had to actually click the links in those texts for the Android exploit to take effect?</p><p><br></p><p>That's right, I remember reading about malware-infected ads showing up on popular websites. I think it was the ads on the back end, not the site themselves. But you had to click on them too no?</p>

        • wright_is

          Premium Member
          02 January, 2021 - 12:43 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#604770">In reply to j5:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes, it was the back end ad servers that carried the ads, but they were spread over many high ranking sites.</p><p>These, plus the email and SMS attacks just need the object to be loaded on the device (page load, delivered as SMS or email opened).</p><p>The user doesn't have to click on the object, just open the page or message containing it. </p>

          • j5

            Premium Member
            02 January, 2021 - 1:04 pm

            <blockquote><em><a href="#604804">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>"These, plus the email and SMS attacks just need the object to be loaded on the device (page load, delivered as SMS or email opened)."</p><p><br></p><p>Ah, OK I understand now. That makes sense because it's being loaded on the device.</p><p><br></p><p>Thanks!</p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    02 January, 2021 - 1:01 am

    <p>It is always a risk to use any device that isn't up to date on its security. </p><p>The question is, how big a risk is it?</p><p>In the case of your wife, it would probably be relatively low. I wouldn't feel safe using it, but just for calls etc. It should be fine. </p><p>Malicious websites, SMS/MMS and email are probably the biggest attack vectors she will be exposed to. (I'm guessing that she doesn't go around installing random "no name" apps all the time.)</p><p>Nevertheless the risk would probably be acceptably low. </p>

    • Sprtfan

      03 January, 2021 - 2:18 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#604714">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>Thanks, I didn't realize that just receiving the text or email could compromise the system. As you said, the risk would probably be low but enough that I can probably convince her to upgrade. </p>

  • codymesh

    02 January, 2021 - 2:05 am

    <p>Functional? absolutely. </p><p><br></p><p>Safe? It should be fine (strictly technically speaking…no). I doubt there isn't anything catastrophic that isn't also present in newer Android versions. </p><p><br></p><p>Android 8.0 is still pretty good to use, even today. She won't be losing functionality at all for a long time.</p>

  • winner

    02 January, 2021 - 1:46 pm

    <p>Functional – yes. Safe – no.</p>

  • waethorn

    03 January, 2021 - 1:53 am

    <p>What operating system does it use again?</p><p><br></p><p>You know the answer – no, it isn't safe.</p>

    • Sprtfan

      03 January, 2021 - 2:14 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#604955">In reply to Waethorn:</a></em></blockquote><p>runs Android 8 I believe. My question was would it be reasonable safe for her typical usage that would be text, phone, and maps. Below it was mentioned that just receiving an email or text was enough to compromise the phone even if they are not opened was the type of info I was looking for. </p>

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