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Google has warned of two vulnerabilities in its system (Picture: Jaque Silva/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock) Google has urged Android users to act now to avoid hackers exploiting flaws in its software. The company issued a critical warning for all Android users, confirming that two high-severity vulnerabilities have been identified. An Android Security Bulletin said the most severe of these issues was a ‘critical security vulnerability’ that allowed hackers to exploit Android phones without ‘interaction’ with the phone’s user. This puts the phone owner’s data and device at risk. Security experts have urged users to act quickly (Picture: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock) Android regularly releases software updates to keep their customers’ security up to scratch, and provide new features. However, cyber criminals can sometimes find flaws in the system that leave users vulnerable to attack. The current flaws had been given the dreaded ‘zero-day’ rating, meaning hackers had already found the vulnerabilities and were actively exploiting them – and that Android users had no time to waste, according to The Express. Millions of people are now being urged to update their phones’ operating system (OS) immediately to remain protected from cyber crooks. What has Google said about the Android attacks? Google has urged its users to stay on the lookout for the latest version of its operating system and to download it immediately to fix the serious bugs. The company said update it part of Android’s standard monthly updates which works to keep Android users safe and protect their devices. Google told Metro: ‘As a best security practice, we always recommended users ensure they have installed the latest software updates available for their device.’ Google’s own-brand Pixel phones should receive the update almost immediately, while other devices such as those made by Samsung may take a longer to receive the changes. Hackers are currently exploiting Android devices (Picture: Anadolu) What do Android users need to do? Android users should look to update their operating system immediately to fix the flaws and stop hackers from being able to compromise their device. To do this, users can go to their Setting app, open the System tab and click Software updates. Users can then follow on-screen instructions. Adam Boynton, senior security manager at software firm Jamf, said it was ‘crucial’ that Android users act fast. ‘Despite being only targeted attacks, with these vulnerabilities being under active exploitation, we strongly recommend that all users update their OS immediately,’ he told the Express. Some older Android devices cannot run newer Android OS updates. Owners of older devices are encouraged to upgrade their phones if they cannot update their software. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]. For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Everything you need to know about the emergency alert this weekend Arrow MORE: EE goes down with users reporting issues with data and accessing the internet Arrow MORE: Google hit by outage with thousands unable to access emails or maps