Failing to update your smartphone with the latest operating system or security fix could allow hackers to more easily gain complete control of it — without you even noticing. According to NBC News, Broadpwn, a vulnerability in a Wi-Fi chipset that affects millions of Android and iOS devices, is the latest worm that can even use an infected smartphone as an access point to attack other devices in the area.
But while this Wi-Fi vulnerability can spread quickly and take over your smartphone within mere minutes, it's also preventable with a simple patch. That should be a wake-up call for some Americans who don't update their devices, intentionally or otherwise. According to Consumer Reports, only 36 percent of smartphone owners use a four-digit screen lock of any kind, and just 31 percent routinely back up their data, including photos and contacts.