Google reveals three major security features of Android 5.0

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A sweet lollipop wrapped in a tough Kevlar case. That's how Google described the new security features in the latest Android 5.0 (codenamed Lollipop).

Android 5.0, released in the middle of this month, is the biggest update in the history of Android. The new version of Android has many eye-catching features, such as Material Design design language, improved battery energy efficiency and operating efficiency, and multi-user support, and Google has also released a developer toolkit. In contrast, although security is not so conspicuous, the frequent security incidents in recent years are enough to make people pay more attention to its security improvements. In general, in terms of security, Android adopts a mechanism that runs counter to its openness - closedness. Google's chief security engineer highlighted three new security features of the new version of Android on the official blog.

Lock screen is more powerful and operation is simpler

Loss and theft are the biggest security issues facing smartphone users. The easiest way to keep your phone and data safe is undoubtedly the lock screen. In 5.0, Android introduced Smart Lock, a more powerful and simpler lock screen. This lock screen technology allows users to unlock their phones using Bluetooth pairing, NFC, or even their smiles, and allows specific notifications to appear on the lock screen, so that users can easily get the information they need while protecting their phones.

You can unlock it with any device you've paired your Android 5.0 phone with via Bluetooth or NFC, but it also has its own smart detection mechanism, so if you just happen to be near an NFC payment terminal in a store you've used in the past, it won't unlock.

Smile unlock is a face-scanning unlock, and Google has also made improvements to it. It will continuously analyze the user's image, and once the system detects that the user is not himself, it will lock the screen.

Encryption as default option

In the new version of Android, encryption has become the default option. This encryption mechanism will encrypt all data on the device using a unique key that is bound to the device and cannot be accessed from the outside when the new phone is first started. Google said that this technology introduced three years ago is the safest way to encrypt devices, and turning it on by default can avoid security risks caused by many users who are afraid of trouble or do not understand the settings. However, when upgrading old phones, you still have to turn on the option yourself.

Enforce SELinux mode

Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux) is a Linux security subsystem developed by the National Security Agency of the United States based on the principle of least privilege. It can bring lower-level security to Android on the basis of application sandbox, and make auditing and monitoring easier, thus reducing the space for attacks. Google said that it has blocked multiple vulnerabilities since the introduction of SELinux last year.
However, this will cause considerable trouble for ordinary users because, due to security restrictions, rooting that could be accomplished by updating patches in the past is no longer possible and requires manually flashing a modified kernel.

Android 5.0 is expected to be available to consumers on November 9, when everyone will be able to experience the above security features.

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