As an open ecosystem that empowers users to define their experience according to their priorities, Galaxy has always stood for choices. From a security and privacy perspective, I believe Galaxy has a duty to give users more say over how they are protected. Having options encourages you to think about what’s really right for you. That’s the philosophy behind Auto Blocker, introduced as part of One UI 6.

Auto Blocker is a package of additional security measures and the latest to join Galaxy’s stable of security and privacy innovations. Just as there is not one single type of cyber threat, there should never be just one approach to security. That’s why Auto Blocker’s safeguards are wide-ranging; it gives users more ways to stay safe, on their terms and with minimal effort.

Let me put it another way: Galaxy lets users set their own boundaries without building a wall around them.

Boundaries, Not Walls

One of Auto Blocker’s features is the ability to enable or disable sideloading. This is the act of installing an app that’s not available on official platforms, such as Google Play or Galaxy Store. Sideloading is hugely popular as there are many benefits for users, including enhanced customization and control over their device’s functionality.

There are entire online communities full of advice and testimonials, dedicated to safe and responsible sideloading, and to new ways of using Galaxy devices that open up exciting possibilities. For those who fully intend to sideload, they won’t notice any change with One UI 6 because Auto Blocker is off by default. Then, what’s the benefit of opting in?

We constantly look out for new threats, and it is increasingly common to see social engineering attacks like voice phishing. This is when an attacker doesn’t target a device, but targets users and aims for human error. For example, if someone called your mother pretending to be from the bank, and they scam her into installing malware. With Auto Blocker activated, such an attempt would be detected and stopped.

So, for those not in the habit of extensive device customizations, turning on Auto Blocker represents additional and effortless peace of mind. And those who love to customize are entirely unaffected. Not only is Galaxy an ecosystem that empowers informed choices, but it is also one that adapts to changes in the digital landscape. Galaxy means the freedom to set your own boundaries — and move them when you wish.

A Complete Package

The option to toggle sideloading is just one part of Auto Blocker, which is packed with other safeguards and effortlessly protects users in other likely scenarios.

Imagine you’re charging your smartphone at an airport or any other public space. Maybe you’re distracted and someone takes the opportunity to grab it, attempting to break into it via the USB port while the device is physically accessible to them. Fortunately, Auto Blocker prevents commands and installations via USB cable, which makes it tough for anyone to physically override your device’s security.

Auto Blocker assures users that they can safely use their favorite apps or try new ones. It turns on app security checks, which look out for potential malware.¹ It also opens up the Message Guard feature, which prevents Zero Click exploits to popular third-party messaging apps, including Messenger, Telegram, KakaoTalk and WhatsApp.

One Part of a Secure Ecosystem

Auto Blocker is just one of the many security innovations we’ve been working on. To further improve protection, we’ve updated the Security and Privacy Dashboard on Galaxy devices – so it’s easier for users to see and control what happens to their data.

We’re also bringing our strongest hardware-based security innovations to more devices with the expansion of Knox Vault to additional smartphone models and other non-mobile product categories. Looking ahead, we’ve updated Knox Matrix — our vision of a future where connected devices can protect one another. Furthermore, we’ve introduced an easier and more convenient way to log in to devices.

By offering more ways to be secure, in more places and on more devices, we’re providing users with greater convenience and greater choice in how to live their lives. Ultimately, isn’t that what everybody wants?

Click here for more on all of Samsung’s security innovations announced at SDC23.

¹ Currently not available on U.S. carrier models.

Samsung Electronics today introduced Auto Blocker, a new security tool for Samsung Galaxy users designed to keep their devices protected in the way that best fits their lifestyle.

Recently released on One UI 6 as part of Samsung Galaxy’s expanded arsenal of security and privacy innovations, Auto Blocker is an opt-in package of additional security measures that gives users more choice as they explore the customizations enabled by Samsung Galaxy’s open ecosystem.

Putting the Choice in Users’ Hands

“At Samsung we constantly strive to keep our users safe from security attacks, and with the introduction of Auto Blocker users can continue to enjoy the benefits of our open ecosystem, knowing that their mobile experience is secured,” said Dr. Seungwon Shin, EVP & Head of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We always seek to empower our users to choose for themselves what best suits their needs — rather than us deciding on their behalf, and Auto Blocker is no exception to that.”

One of Auto Blocker’s features is the prevention of app installations from unauthorized sources,¹ known as sideloading. There are many benefits to intentional sideloading, such as enhanced customization and control over a device’s functionality. Those who love to safely sideload will experience no change as the feature is off by default. For those not in the habit of sideloading or extensive customization, activating Auto Blocker can provide additional peace of mind by stalling the rise of social engineering attacks like voice phishing, where attackers could talk users into installing malicious software.

Auto Blocker has a range of additional controls, including turning on app security checks² to help detect potential malware and prevent harmful commands and software installations by USB cable. This can help protect users in a situation where someone has physical access to their device, like when charging a phone at an airport.

With this feature also comes an update to Message Guard, which mitigates Zero Click attacks, or direct image messages hiding malicious code. Initially launched for messaging apps from Google and Samsung, it now can help protect users using popular third party apps.³ This way, users have greater choice over the apps they can safely use.

Pushing the Industry Forward With New Security Standards

Samsung sets the foundation for a safer, more secure mobile experience for Galaxy users, and Auto Blocker takes this one step further by combining industry-leading security standards with user choice to allow customers to control their device their way. As the latest feature to be added to Samsung’s suite of security and privacy innovations, Auto Blocker further optimizes the mobile experience for users across the Galaxy ecosystem.

Auto Blocker is available now on Samsung Galaxy devices compatible with One UI 6.

¹ Authorized sources include Google Play and Galaxy Store.
² Currently not available on US carrier models.
³ Messenger, Telegram, KakaoTalk, WhatsApp.

Pre-orders for the previous year’s Galaxy S22 series had already been a great success, with numbers more than double that of the Galaxy S21 series within the first week. This year, pre-order results were even higher than those of the Galaxy S22 series, with 60% of consumers opting for the most premium Galaxy S23 Ultra.

“The great momentum we’re witnessing speaks to customers’ excitement about products that push the envelope and give them the freedom to express themselves creatively,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “This year’s pre-order numbers echo our customers’ strong trust in our brand and demonstrate how our commitment to ground-breaking innovation and sustainability continues to resonate with consumers.”

Led by the Galaxy S23 Ultra with its new 200MP Adaptive Pixel sensor and iconic embedded S Pen, the Galaxy S23 series — also featuring the Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 — represents a new era of Samsung’s ultimate premium phone experience. The Galaxy S23 series features epic cameras that give users more freedom to explore their creativity, the world’s fastest mobile graphics¹ thanks to the Snapdragon^® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, and a striking design that advances the company’s sustainability commitments with more components made using recycled materials than in any other Samsung Galaxy smartphone.²

Samsung Galaxy S23 series also unlocks the next level of mobile security with Samsung Message Guard. This powerful sandboxing tool preemptively protects against zero-click exploit attacks. This is a new kind of cyberattack where just receiving an image can compromise a device — even without the user’s interaction. Samsung Message Guard acts as a virtual quarantine, trapping harmful images and ensuring you receive safe images. Find out more about Samsung Message Guard at news.samsung.com/global/samsung-message-guard-protects-you-from-new-and-invisible-threats.

Starting on February 17, 2023, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 will be widely available through carriers and retailers and on samsung.com, in four nature-inspired matte hues: Phantom Black, Cream, Green and Lavender. The devices are also available in a variety of unique, online exclusive colors, only available at samsung.com. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is available in Graphite, Lime, Sky Blue and Red.³ The Galaxy S23 and S23+ feature two online exclusive colors, Graphite and Lime.

Samsung is also launching an eye-catching 3D billboard campaign to celebrate the launch of the Galaxy S23 series. The campaign highlights the design of the Galaxy S23 series inspired by the planet, with striking visuals. First kicking-off in Seoul, the campaign will roll out in other global cities around the world over the coming weeks.

For more information about Galaxy S23 series, please visit:

www.samsungmobilepress.com,

news.samsung.com/global or

www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/.

¹ Snapdragon^® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy is optimized for Samsung and exclusive at the time of Galaxy S23 series’ launch. World’s fastest Snapdragon claim true as of February 1, 2023.
² Galaxy S23 Ultra uses recycled materials in 12 internal and external components (Galaxy S23+ and S23: 11 internal and external components), compared to six internal components in the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
³ Availability of online-exclusive colors and options may vary by market.

Zero-click exploits are the latest kind of cyberattack, and they can take place any time an image is received. A single image could be hiding malicious code.

While there has been no sign of such attacks on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, Samsung Electronics constantly looks ahead to anticipate potential threats and develop preemptive security measures — such as Samsung Message Guard.

New Security for New Threats

Picture this: your phone receives an image. It vibrates gently in your pocket before going still. Or it’s on your bedside table, lighting up briefly as you sleep. You haven’t touched your phone, but someone may already be reading your messages, browsing your gallery and copying your bank details.

Zero-click exploits are just the latest threat in an era of increased cybercrime targeting user data. One in three consumers around the world has been the victim of a data breach where their personal data was hacked.¹ Data breaches are increasingly common, with rates more than tripling between 2013 and 2021.²

Threats evolve, but so too does Samsung’s mobile security. Samsung Galaxy smartphones offer comprehensive safeguards with the powerful Samsung Knox platform, and users are already protected from attacks using video and audio formats. Samsung Message Guard takes that security one step further by preemptively protecting your device, limiting exposure to invisible threats disguised as image attachments.³

The security solution currently works on Samsung Messages and Messages by Google.⁴ In line with Samsung’s philosophy of open collaboration, a software update will roll out at a later date to let Samsung Message Guard protect you across third party messaging apps as well.

A Secure Environment

Samsung Message Guard is an advanced “sandbox,” or a kind of virtual quarantine. When an image file arrives, it is trapped and isolated from the rest of the device. This prevents malicious code from accessing your phone’s files or interacting with its operating system. Samsung Message Guard checks the file bit by bit and processes it in a controlled environment to ensure it cannot infect the rest of your device.

Simply put, Samsung Message Guard automatically neutralizes any potential threat hiding in image files before they have a chance to do you any harm. It also runs silently and largely invisibly in the background and does not need to be activated by the user. So where previously you could be endangered without doing anything, now you are protected from zero-click exploits without lifting a finger.

Samsung Message Guard is just the latest forward-looking security solution from Samsung. Separately, Samsung Galaxy devices already provide industry-leading security and privacy protections in other areas, thanks to the award-winning Samsung Knox. This provides end-to-end protection across every layer of hardware and software, as well as real-time threat detection.

Availability

Samsung Message Guard is a solution on the Samsung Galaxy S23 series. It will be gradually rolled out to other Galaxy smartphones and tablets⁵ later this year.

¹ 2022 Thales Consumer Digital Trust Index, https://cpl.thalesgroup.com/data-trust-index.
² 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report, Verizon, https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/.
³ Samsung Message Guard supports protection against the following image formats: PNG, JPG/JPEG, GIF, ICO, WEBP, BMP, WBMP.
⁴ Default messaging app varies by market.
⁵ One UI 5.1 or higher.