Major Samsung Galaxy S24 Security Surprise Drops Today

Samsung Electronics has announced that, as from Nov. 05, the latest public beta of the One UI 7 system will start rolling out to Galaxy users. As well as promising easier to use controls and a preview of an AI ecosystem that Samsung says is the future, the new beta preview brings a whole bunch of important enhancements to the smartphone security party.

ForbesFBI Warns Smartphone Users—Hang Up And Create A Secret Word NowBy Davey Winder

Major Free Security Update For Samsung Galaxy Users

As reported by Tech Advisor, the Samsung One UI 7 beta public release available now comes with more than the promise of an AI ecosystem to change things up for Galaxy users.

The security enhancements come across a number of areas, and the good news is that Samsung Galaxy S24 users can start experiencing them right now—at least if the One UI 7 beta is rolling out to your geographic region.

These include:

• The implementation of Samsung’s private blockchain-driven “Trust Chain” to monitor connected devices using what Samsung is calling its Knox Matrix. Perhaps a little unfortunate given the recent bad publicity for a couple of different criminal networks using the same Matrix nomenclature.
• A new security dashboard to get at-a-glance stats across multiple Samsung devices including recommendations if any security issues need your attention.
• Passkey support via “Credential Sync” when logging into your Samsung account and adding biometric support for signing into devices such as a smart TV, for example.
• Samsung Cloud data recovery enhancements to enable data transfer from one trusted device to another, securely, when access has been lost. This employs the old device lock screen credentials.
• A new function to block devices from automatically reconnecting to what could be an insecure Wi-Fi network.
• The ability to remove location data from shared photos and to prevent the automatic download of photos in shared albums, although this is more a privacy enhancement than a security one, obviously.
• Samsung users will also be able to block USB access when their device is locked.
• A new theft protection tool called Identity Check to bring a biometric verification requirement for any “sensitive actions” when the Samsung Galaxy is in a different location.

ForbesWhy The NSA Says Reboot Your iPhone Or Android Every WeekBy Davey Winder

How To Start Using The New Samsung Galaxy S24 Security Features Now

“The beta program offers a first look at an upgraded mobile user experience,” Samsung said, and will first be available “for Galaxy S24 series devices in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the U.K. and the U.S.”

Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphone users can apply to join the beta program via Samsung Members.