Security News > 2022 > January > Android users can now disable 2G to block Stingray attacks
Google has finally rolled out an option on Android allowing users to disable 2G connections, which come with a host of privacy and security problems exploited by cell-site simulators.
While Google has given Android users the option not to allow 2G cellular connections on their device, the setting is turned on by default.
If you want to turn it off, you can go to 'Settings Network & Internet SIMs Allow 2G'. Depending on your device maker and the Android skin used, the path to access that setting may be different.
Bleeping Computer has tested Android 11 and Android 10, but the option is not yet available.
It's important to clarify that 2G remains active as a backup for emergency calls no matter what position the toggle is set to, so there's no way to disable it completely.
Finally, Apple hasn't given iPhone users a choice to lock their devices to 4G/5G connectivity only, but now that Google has taken that step, it's likely the competition follows.
News URL
Related news
- Phishing platform 'Lucid' behind wave of iOS, Android SMS attacks (source)
- Google fixes Android zero-days exploited in attacks, 60 other flaws (source)
- iOS devices face twice the phishing attacks of Android (source)
- New Android malware steals your credit cards for NFC relay attacks (source)
- SuperCard X Android Malware Enables Contactless ATM and PoS Fraud via NFC Relay Attacks (source)