Android phones like the Pixel devices are already pretty secure, but Pixel modem security has reportedly taken quite the turn recently, and that should make them even safer. Google has just announced its initiative to make the modem on Pixel devices more secure with the injection of Rust code. Rust is a programming language that is focused on security and speed, and Google’s implementation of it to the modem used Pixel phones is all about preventing attacks to vulnerabilities within the modem.
“Pixel modem has tens of Megabytes of executable code. Given the complexity and remote attack surface of the modem, other critical memory safety vulnerabilities may remain in the predominantly memory-unsafe firmware code,” Google says. According to the company, the modem has become a larger target for hackers of late due to these memory safety vulnerabilities.
It’s important to note that this is also a preventative measure, and Google isn’t making these changes in response to a series of attacks. However, that doesn’t change the need for these changes now, Google says. Should hackers be able to execute an attack based on memory-unsafe code, it could result in hackers being able to gain control of a device remotely with zero user-interaction. Rust will help it better protect against these attacks.
Google’s Pixel modem security changes aren’t something users will interact with
While Google will eventually be pushing these changes to devices to help secure things, users will never actually interact with any of it. Aside from downloading an update like they would any other update. Users also won’t really notice any change in how their devices work.
That being said, the device will be safer all the same. That’s a good thing, because there’s already enough things to worry about right now. Pixel phone-related or otherwise. Google also notes that this project will lead to future devices having the same kind of memory-safe code in the modem, meaning future devices will also be safer.
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