Samsung has made it a priority to give you peace of mind when using connected device ecosystems as Knox Vault, passkeys and Knox Matrix protect you and your digital life.

Knox Vault

At Samsung, we’re constantly exploring ways to add extra layers of security to our products through software and hardware innovations. One example is our hardware-backed Knox Vault which combines a secure processor with secure memory to isolate your most sensitive data — like PINs, passwords and biometrics — from the rest of your device and ensure that no one else can physically or remotely reach your data.

But we’re not stopping there. With many people now using multiple devices, we’re expanding Knox Vault to more devices[1] and bringing the safest mobile experience to a wider audience. You can rest assured that our technologies will constantly evolve as we continue to prioritize keeping you and your personal information safe.

Passkeys

As our device ecosystems continue to grow, we’ve all experienced the bothersome task of logging into apps and websites with passwords that are often long, complicated and easy to forget. But what if they no longer existed, and it was still possible to securely share information across multiple devices?

This is our vision for passkeys — digital credentials that can be used for authentication across websites and apps, enabled by Knox Matrix with Galaxy smartphones and tablets.[2] Passkeys allow users to log in to apps and websites on Galaxy devices using Samsung Pass in Samsung Wallet.[3] This safe and easy feature enables users to sign in with biometric authentication like fingerprints and eliminates the need to remember current passwords or reset forgotten ones. Convenient without compromising security, passkeys mark a significant step toward a passwordless future.

Passkeys offer a faster, easier and more secure device experience. You’ll save time by no longer needing to type your account username into your device — simply select the account you wish to sign into. Once passkeys are registered, it is easy to switch over to a new connected device as there is no need to sign in all over again. Passkeys only work on users’ registered websites and applications, ensuring protection against phishing attacks from malicious sites or apps.

Knox Matrix

Providing new ways to secure identities and credentials for a hyperconnected world, passkeys are part of Credential Sync — a key component of Knox Matrix. We live in an age where we’re surrounded by connected devices from our phones to TVs, and even our refrigerators. This connectivity offers exciting new opportunities but also poses an increased risk of exploitation. Traditional security offerings that protect single devices are no longer enough when one compromised device has the potential to negatively impact others within the same ecosystem — presenting the need for another layer of protection.

That’s why we’ve built Knox Matrix, our next frontier of security and vision for a safer future. The security system is a comprehensive approach that will become increasingly essential as more devices and aspects of our lives become connected — turning your home into a smart shield and keeping you and your ecosystem of connected devices safe. Knox Matrix functions as your private blockchain system where connected devices ensure security at core stages through multi-layered, intelligent threat monitoring with compatible devices cross-checking each other for breaches.

Credential Sync secures your information when moving data from device to device, making it easier to manage multiple logins while encrypting sensitive information. By sharing credentials across devices, we aim to protect your entire device ecosystem — so you never have to sacrifice security for connectivity or convenience.

Knox Matrix offers even more advanced protection for your entire device ecosystem with Trust Chain. In Trust Chain, connected devices monitor each other for security threats, provide notifications if ever attacked and share actions taken to block the threat. Also, Cross Platform SDK allows devices on different operating systems to join Knox Matrix with consistent security standards. This means you can enjoy strong security across the board with Knox Matrix whether your Samsung devices are based on Android, Tizen, Windows or other operating systems.

Samsung wants you to be able to navigate this increasingly connected world freely and comfortably with Samsung Galaxy, both now and in the future. To that end, we’re committed to helping you get the most out of your digital experience with Knox Vault and Knox Matrix. As we head towards a passwordless future, these powerful solutions will ensure you’re always backed up by security you can trust.

[1]  Including but not limited to Galaxy S series, Galaxy A series, Galaxy Tab S series and more. Knox Vault availability may vary by model.

[2] Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with Samsung Pass, supporting One UI 6 or later.

[3] Availability of Samsung Wallet and Samsung Pass may vary depending on market or model.

Secure Wi-Fi:

With Samsung’s Secure Wi-Fi, you can work from wherever you’re most comfortable. This feature lets you browse the internet safely, even when using unsecured, public Wi-Fi networks, offering complete and secure protection by encrypting internet traffic. For enhanced privacy protection, you can even route your internet traffic through two separate relays so no one can access your IP address. This is especially effective when you’re working remotely in public spaces.

To use Secure Wi-Fi, go to Settings, Security and Privacy, and select More Security Settings. From there, tap into Secure Wi-Fi, and you’re on your way. You can also add the Secure Wi-Fi icon directly to your home screen for easy access to the app.

Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Wi-Fi

With Galaxy, you can work remotely with greater peace of mind, knowing that your sensitive data and information is less susceptible to the potential threats of public networks. Secure Wi-Fi even offers free protection of up to 1024 MB per month, automatically enabled upon connection[1], with additional plans available at any time for those who wish to upgrade.

Samsung Internet:

Samsung Internet brings user-centric security and privacy features to web browsing, enabling you to freely browse your favorite websites while keeping your privacy protected. Under Samsung Internet, we’ve created a myriad of features all geared towards keeping you and your online experience safe.

First, the browser offers a comprehensive overview of how it protects your web experience, detailed in your Privacy Dashboard, available via the Quick Access page. This offers a detailed record of weekly activities and settings that can be adjusted to suit your privacy preferences, whenever you choose. To find this, go to the browser, tap the three lines icon, and select Privacy.

For extra security, Samsung Internet also enables private environments with Secret Mode. This could come in handy while shopping for a gift you want to keep a surprise from anyone who might have access to your device. With this option, you’ll get the same browsing experience as you would normally experience on Samsung Internet, but with extra privacy and protection. Cookies and browsing history for any websites you visit in Secret Mode will be deleted from your phone as soon as all your Secret Mode tabs are closed. You can even save pages and bookmarks, but anything you save will only be visible in Secret Mode. To use this feature, go to Samsung Internet, and from the main screen, tap on the Tab Manager icon on the bottom where you can manage your open pages. Activate Secret Mode by tapping “Turn on Secret mode”.

Samsung Internet > Tab Manager icon > Turn on Secret mode

Samsung Internet also provides the AI-powered Smart Anti-tracking function, which is turned on by default. This feature helps to block cookies and third-party attempting to track your personal information, as well as preventing cross-site trackers from using techniques for getting around tracker blocking. Smart Anti-tracking also lets you default to a safer HTTPS setting when typing a URL and can detect and apply protection against domains that collude with classified trackers. To use Smart Anti-tracking, go into the Privacy Dashboard within Samsung Internet, and tap Smart Anti-tracking.

Samsung Internet > Privacy dashboard > Smart anti-tracking

Finally, Samsung Internet enables Ad Blocker. We know that when you’re browsing you might encounter ads that you want to get rid of for a more seamless experience. That’s why we’ve enabled you to download third-party ad blockers. To block ads via Samsung Internet, launch the Samsung Internet app and tap the three lines icon (menu), before selecting Ad blockers. Here, we’ll recommend a selection of blockers for you to choose from and download.

Samsung Internet > menu > Ad blockers

With your Samsung Galaxy device, there’s no need to worry about when and where you can surf the web. We’ve thought of it all and we’ve put measures in place to keep you protected during your online experience – no matter where you are.

[1] Secure Wi-Fi offers free protection of up to 1024MB per month for Android OS 12 or later, and 250MB per month for Android OS 11 or earlier versions. Availability details may vary by market or network provider and connectivity is subject to applicable network environments.

It can be hard to know the right way to do this. For example, you might have concerns around the security of third-party messaging platforms. Or you might be worried that your private information and data could be lost or compromised in the event of a server attack or the loss of your phone. When connecting to another device, you might also worry about who can see your data, and how to keep it secure.

At Samsung, we’ve thought of all this and made it our mission to keep you protected so you can safely and comfortably share your data with whomever you choose.

Private Sharing with Quick Share

Ever been in a situation like this? You want to share pictures of your newborn baby, or a video from your recent holiday, but don’t want to risk them somehow ending up online or visible to anyone other than those you intended.

Samsung Galaxy has a built-in solution to this problem: Quick Share’s Private Sharing, a privacy-preserving file-sharing function that lets you share your data with peace of mind.

With Private Sharing, you and you alone own the data. You can ensure that only the designated recipients can open the files you send – no one else. You can also set permissions and expiration dates for the data, so it’s only viewable for a limited amount of time. Further, you can give read-only access without the ability to re-share; revoke the data access whenever you like; restrict screenshotting, and see when the recipient received and opened the file.

Private Sharing makes it safe and easy to share your content, and you can share up to 20 files at once with a total size of up to 200MB.[1] And of course, all your files are securely and fully encrypted when shared, courtesy of blockchain-based encryption technology.

To use Private Sharing, select the file you want to send and tap the Share icon. Tap Quick Share, followed by the three dots for more options in the top right corner. Then select Turn on Private Sharing. Once the message has been sent, you can check what you’ve sent and change the expiration date or revoke sharing permissions.

▲ Select file > Quick Share > Three dots (more options) > Turn on Private sharing

No more worries about misfiring a private photo or file, or having your information fall into the wrong hands. With Quick Share’s Private Sharing, you’re in control of your data and whom you choose to share it with, with visibility into file share status every step of the way.

Enhanced Data Protection with End-to-End Encryption

Here’s a moment that would make anyone panic. You receive a notification that something’s gone wrong with a website you visited, and the server where your sensitive account details are stored has been compromised.

No one wants their data leaked. But with Galaxy’s Enhanced Data Protection, you can be confident that your data remains secure in the Samsung Cloud.

Starting with the Galaxy S24, Enhanced Data Protection offers additional protection for Galaxy devices when you sync or back up your data with Samsung Cloud.[2] This feature mitigates data loss via end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which ensures data can only be encrypted or decrypted on your device and cannot be seen by anyone but you. In other words, you can connect to other devices while staying secure, and your data will be kept safe even if a server is compromised or account details are stolen.

When you activate Enhanced Data Protection, you’ll be prompted to write down a recovery code to help prevent the loss of your data in the event you lose your device.

To use Enhanced Data Protection, open the Samsung Cloud app, tap the three dots for more options, choose Settings, and then Enhanced Data Protection. From here, you can choose to encrypt backup or synced data. Alternatively, you can open your device Settings and go to Security and Privacy to find this feature.

▲ Samsung Cloud > Three dots (more options) > Settings > Enhanced data protection

▲ Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Enhanced data protection

End-to-end encrypted data is only accessible on devices using the Enhanced Data Protection feature, and cannot be accessed by anyone else, including Samsung.

We know that our users want to be able to enjoy their lives safely with the knowledge that their devices and data are protected. Galaxy enables you to do just that – so you can safely go out there knowing we have your back.

[1] Private Sharing is supported between Galaxy devices with Android OS 10 (Q OS) or later & One UI 2.1 or later. A maximum of 20 files and 200MB can be transferred at one time. Shareable file types include images (.jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .webp, .heic, .dng), videos (.webm, .mp4, .3gp, .3g2, .mkv), audio (.mp3, .wav, .ogg, .m4a), and documents (.txt, .pdf).

[2] Enhanced Data Protection availability and support may vary by device model and OS.

Our powerful Galaxy security solutions provide multiple ways to protect you from these cybersecurity threats by securing your device and helping control your privacy. Auto Blocker and Message Guard are two of these safeguards.

Auto Blocker

Auto Blocker is all about choice — providing an opt-in package of additional security measures so that you are completely in control to choose whether you want to explore the customizations enabled by Galaxy’s ecosystem. Auto Blocker will protect your Galaxy device and personal data by preventing app installations from unauthorized sources. The feature will also check for malware and other cybersecurity threats, immediately blocking any malicious activity that could come as a result.

One example of Auto Blocker in action is the prevention of what many people call sideloading, or downloading apps from unverified sources. There are numerous benefits to intentional sideloading, such as added customizations to your phone. But if you do not typically sideload, this feature will provide extra peace of mind and stall potential attacks that can come in the form of social engineering fraud like voice phishing — in which threat actors trick you over the phone and talk you into installing malicious software.

The extra level of protection that Auto Blocker provides also stops harmful commands from entering your physical USB port — which could come in handy when charging your phone through an outlet at a public space like an airport.

Turning on Auto Blocker is a quick and simple process that takes less than a minute. Open Settings, go to Security and Privacy, then tap Auto Blocker and select On.

▲ Settings > Security and privacy > Auto Blocker

Message Guard

Cybersecurity threats come in many forms, and each year they become even more sophisticated. One threat that is becoming increasingly common is the zero-click attack, which exploits vulnerabilities in your device software. This can take place any time an image is received and does not require any action whatsoever on the user’s part.

For instance, your phone receives an image and vibrates gently in your pocket or on your bedside table before going still. You haven’t touched your phone or facilitated any input, but someone may already be reading your messages, browsing your gallery or copying your bank details.

Samsung’s Message Guard will neutralize any potential threats that might be hiding in the image before it has a chance to do any harm by effectively trapping the file in an isolated space on your device. While the image is put into quarantine, Samsung Message Guard checks the file bit by bit — processing it in a controlled environment to prevent infection to the rest of your device

Message Guard works with a range of popular messaging apps that you probably already use, from Google and Samsung apps to Messenger, Telegram and WhatsApp. You don’t need to worry about initiating the process either since Message Guard runs silently and effectively 24/7 in the background without needing to be activated in any way.

▲ Settings > Security and privacy > Auto Blocker > Messaging app protection

Although there is no doubt that cybersecurity threats will continue to evolve and become increasingly common, Samsung’s priority is to always keep you safe because privacy can only be assured with strong security. However you choose to live your life, Galaxy is there — watching your back and ensuring you stay in control.

Security Updates for Longer

While it’s important to have robust security features, it is also crucial to keep them up to date so you are protected against the latest threats. That’s why Samsung is providing up to seven years of security updates and seven years of operating system upgrades, starting with the Galaxy S24 series.[1] This is the longest period of software support currently available for mobile devices, allowing users to keep their phones safely and more reliably for longer.

▲ Settings > Security and privacy > Updates > Security update

[1] Availability and timing of Android OS upgrades and security updates may vary by device model and market.

But while technology changes, your right to privacy doesn’t. New developments mean new ways of data being processed. At Samsung, we think you should have the full picture when it comes to your personal information. We believe transparency, choice and control must be at the core of the mobile experience.

In this highly digitized world, your security and privacy are more important than ever, so it’s only right that our users have full control over their devices. That’s why we focus on providing solutions that allow you to have complete controllability and total empowerment over how your data is used.

Security & Privacy Dashboard:

This belief is the cornerstone of our Security & Privacy Dashboard. The Dashboard enables you to have complete control over your data, including who sees it and how it gets used. In one simple and easy-to-use interface, you can view, create and update your app permissions, controls and data-sharing features – effectively enabling you to call the shots on your data and customize your experience, your way.

The Dashboard also allows you to see any data that may be at risk, intuitively showing you the safety status of security items.

Settings > Security and privacy

From there, you can quickly and easily change your settings to manage potential dangers at the touch of a button. Items are ordered in priority of the functions that could have the most significant impact on your online safety – such as lock screen, account security, lost device protection via Find My Mobile, app security and updates. These are instantly accessible at the top, with intuitive red, yellow or green alerts showing any problems at a glance and providing clear indicators of any security issues.

Of course, we also do the work for you. Apps can continue tracking data for months, even when they are not in use – but Galaxy devices proactively remove permissions from apps that have not been used in a while, which can then be reinstated if you choose in the Dashboard.

You can do this through Permission Manager and Permission Usage. Permission Manager easily shows you which apps can access your data – whether it’s your location, camera or microphone and in which context (for example, if it’s only when using the app). Permission Usage provides an easy way for you to see your recently used permissions – specifically, which apps have used a certain permission in the last 24 hours or seven days. And, to make things even easier, we also provide instant action prompts through the Dashboard to help make data decisions more intuitive and transparent.

It’s simple to access your Security & Privacy Dashboard. Just go to Settings and Security & Privacy, where you can review and adjust permissions as you see fit.

You can also play with features to further enhance your device’s privacy, such as the Clipboard Access toggle. Turning this setting on (by going to Settings, then Privacy and looking for the toggle “Alert when clipboard accessed”) means that any time an app pastes something from your clipboard, you’ll get a notification. No more hidden activity.

It’s never been easier to see and understand your data privacy with Galaxy. We put the control in your hands.

Find My Mobile / Samsung Find:

It’s one of life’s inevitabilities – at some point, we all misplace our phones. But with Find My Mobile and Samsung Find, you no longer need to worry about your device’s personal information getting into the wrong hands.

Once Find My Mobile is enabled, Samsung Find allows you to locate, lock and even erase your device’s data to create an access lockdown. You can find your device even if it’s not connected to a mobile network, as long as it’s turned on. And through Samsung Find, it’s not only your Galaxy phone you can hunt down – but also your Galaxy Buds, tablets, watches and other devices.

The additional options available make it easier than ever to find your devices. Users can invite family members in the Samsung Find app to view the location or activate ringing noises to help track down shared devices. To give yourself the best chance of locating lost devices with Samsung Find, you can extend the battery life by remotely turning on power saving mode.

Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection

With Galaxy, you’re empowered to stay in complete control of your device – even when it’s not physically with you.

Advanced Intelligence settings:

As an industry-leading global manufacturer, Samsung is focused on enhancing the device experience through dedicated AI features while prioritizing privacy in the era of AI. Many of our Galaxy AI features use on-device data processing which means sensitive information stays with you and you alone. For those features that do require processing in the cloud or external servers, we make sure your data is protected with strict policies.

In a world of AI-enhanced experiences, we know that not everyone wants to use cloud-based AI. For some, keeping data on-device is a priority. So, while innovation is important to us, we believe it’s just as, if not more important that we continue to empower our users with the choice over their own experience.

That choice is yours with our Advanced Intelligence settings.¹ Built into our Galaxy AI-supported devices, these settings let you decide how much you allow your data to enhance AI experiences and whether you want to allow online processing for full AI functionality.

To access the settings, open Settings and select Advanced features, then Advanced Intelligence. Here, you’ll see the option to “Process data only on the device.”

Settings > Advanced features > Advanced Intelligence

We’re still just as committed to providing our users with transparency, choice and control over their devices in this epic new world. It’s all up to you, and it’s never been easier to see and understand what happens to your data at all times.

Your privacy, secured with Galaxy.

¹Availability may vary by device model, OS and/or market.