IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Hack that reset Galaxy phones is fixed by patch

Samsung GSIII
Samsung

Users of Samsung Galaxy smartphones should be receiving an over-the-air patch that fixes a major security flaw: The phones could have all their data wiped just by visiting certain malicious webpages.

The malware called up the phone's number pad and put in a sequence one could use to return the phone to factory settings. It's a feature in Android that was exploited some time ago, but which manufacturers like Samsung have been slow to patch.

Any affected users should be seeing the update arrive soon, if they haven't already.

Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.