Have reports about the increasing vulnerability of your Samsung Android smartphone giving you sleepless nights? USSD (Unstructured supplementary service data) is being held responsible for these attacks. For the uninitiated, USSD is basically a protocol, which is used by GSM cellular telephones to communicate with the computer of service provider. 
Some of the models that run Google OS can actually execute USSD commands without the intervention of the user. This attack could be initiated from a malicious website and is capable of locking SIM card or even lead to call diversion. Security experts warn that some Samsung devices are at risk of getting all their data deleted. Well, don’t feel helpless as there are ways you can monitor if your device is under attack.
For those who want to check if their smartphone is at risk can visit the website, www.isk.kth.se/~rbbo/testussd.html through their device’s browser. This will allow the test page to determine if the Android dialer processes USSD codes. In case your device is vulnerable to attack, the page will display your device’s IMEI number.
Samsung announced the release of a firmware update that is able to patch the vulnerability in the devices. You can even block this security vulnerability by installing the free app, NoTelURL. This app will warn you when an USSD command is encountered and will check with you if you want to execute or not. It is also advised that you back-up your device often.
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