When you have a Samsung smartphone, you get access to one of the best hardware-embedded security solutions known as Samsung Knox. Samsung Knox is an advanced and robust security solution that caters to the security needs of individuals and professionals seeking top-notch protection for their device-stored data. The security system is preinstalled on the best Samsung smartphones and is available free of charge.
If you purchased a Samsung device or saw its ads in the past few years, you may have seen the "Secured by Knox" branding. This guide helps you understand what Samsung Knox is and how it protects your data from theft and hacking.
A bit of background about Samsung Knox
Samsung Knox was launched as a corporate offering by Samsung, allowing corporate employees to use the same phone for personal and official use by letting them save their company data inside a secure and protected environment. On smartphones, Samsung Knox debuted with the Galaxy Note 3 in 2013, which was later made available to older devices, including the Galaxy S3, S4, and Note II. It allows users to store sensitive data and apps inside a protected environment.
While Samsung Knox started as a security platform, it evolved into a full UEM (Unified Endpoint Management) solution. It allows companies to control OS version updates, view in-depth device analytics, provide hands-on remote troubleshooting, manage device configuration, deploy automated device enrollment, and more.
The platform allows IT admins to deploy government-grade security, such as hardware-backed security, device monitoring and control, and certificate management. The Samsung Knox platform has met stringent security requirements set by governments and enterprises around the world. It holds over 60 certifications across multiple countries, including the USA, the UK, France, and more.
As the platform matured, Samsung launched its Secure by Knox platform, which brings the same defense-grade security to consumer devices. Today, when you buy a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you see the Secure by Knox branding on the box, meaning the Samsung Knox platform protects your device's data.
In the upcoming sections, we cover the features of Samsung Knox and tell you how it protects the data on your device.
How does Samsung Knox work?
Samsung Knox uses a combination of hardware and software safeguards to protect your device against tampering, hacking attacks such as viruses and cyberattacks, theft or loss of a device, and human error. The best part about Samsung Knox is that it starts as soon as you boot up your phone for the first time.
It protects your device, even if it hasn't been booted in days, ensuring your phone's OS and data are safe. Knox's security features overlap with Android security features, protecting your data by choosing which app can access what data on your phone.
Samsung Knox uses the hardware-based trusted environment on the ARM chips powering your devices. Every ARM chip comes with a built-in trusted domain called TrustZone. TrustZone is a secure environment built into the CPU that runs an operating system separate from Android. It is separated from the rest of the system to ensure that vulnerabilities in the Android operating system don't affect the security of the trusted environment.
TrustZone provides the foundation of security and encryption on Android devices. All smartphone brands, including Samsung, use this TrustZone to create security features. Here are the main features Samsung Knox builds using the ARM trusted environment:
- Real-time Kernel Protection (RKP)
- Trusted Boot
- Device Health Attestation
- Certificate Management
- Sensitive Data Protection (SDP)
- Network Platform Analytics (NPA)
- Hardware Root of Trust
Samsung upgraded its Knox security platform in 2021 by releasing Knox Vault. Knox Vault improves the security of devices by using a processor and memory unit that's separate from the smartphone's chipset. It's similar to Secure Enclave on Apple iPhones. Here are the main features of Samsung Knox.
Real-time Kernel Protection (RKP)
A kernel is the core component of an operating system that acts as a bridge between the device's software and hardware. The kernel controls your phone's CPU resources, system memory, data storage, network drivers, and everything else in the system. That means if an attacker has control of your phone's kernel, they control your device.
Samsung phones limit possible attacks on the kernel using the company's patented Real-time Kernel Protection (RKP). RKP employs a security monitor within an isolated execution environment. RKP prevents modification of the kernel code and logic and critical kernel data structures.
Source: Samsung
It also prevents Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) and Jump-Oriented Programming (JOP) attacks that use the pre-existing kernel logic to assemble exploits by leveraging the kernel's code. These attacks are becoming popular as they reuse existing code fragments to create an attack program that evades existing safeguards.
RKP protects your phone's kernel from these attacks by employing a security monitor within an isolated execution environment. It uses patented techniques to control device memory management and inspects critical kernel actions before executing them. Samsung has a built-in Periodic Kernel Measurement (PKM) system that periodically monitors the kernel to see if something modified kernel code and data, protecting it from malicious attacks.
Trusted Boot
Trusted Boot detects unauthorized and out-of-date bootloaders and stops them from loading. It also has a Secure Lockdown on Tampering feature that locks down sensitive areas if any evidence of device tampering is detected. You'll factory reset the device to unlock it again. It ensures your data never falls into the wrong hands.
Knox Vault
Everything on your Samsung smartphone, including photos, files, and chats, is protected by a password, PIN, or fingerprint. But do you know what protects your password or fingerprint data? Samsung uses its Knox Vault, which has a separate processor and storage, to secure sensitive data. The secure data includes passwords, biometrics, and other sensitive services like Samsung Pay.
The data in the Knox Vault storage is isolated from the other parts of the phone. Even if your phone is compromised, attackers can't extract your valuable information. Since the process and storage are separate from the main CPU, your data is safe even if the CPU is hacked.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Knox Vault automatically detects voltage, glitches, temperature, and laser attacks. When the system detects an attack, Knox Vault triggers an alarm and immediately blocks the attack. It also prevents software attacks so that no one can access your data remotely.
Secure Folder
Samsung Knox offers consumer-facing features that you can use to protect your data. Secure Folder on Samsung Galaxy smartphones is a separate encrypted space that protects your private photos, files, videos, apps, and other data. To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Secure Folder, and follow the on-screen instructions.
After setting up the Secure Folder, you can move anything inside it, including photos, files, videos, and apps. When moving apps inside Secure Folder, it creates a copy of the app, allowing you to use two instances of the same app.
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Frequently asked questions about Samsung Knox
Can Samsung Knox protect my smartphone against viruses?
Samsung Knox's security features are so robust that, despite not being antivirus software, it can protect your Samsung phones against viruses and malware. Samsung Knox's security and Android's security features protect your phone's data against viruses and other foreign threats.
How do I find out if my Samsung smartphone has Samsung Knox?
To find whether your Samsung smartphone has Samsung Knox, go to Settings > About phone > Software information. If you don't see an item labeled Knox version, your phone doesn't have Samsung Knox.
Which Samsung smartphones support Samsung Knox?
All Samsung Galaxy devices come with Samsung Knox security. Since Samsung Knox uses an additional chip for Samsung Knox Vault, budget Samsung smartphones don't have this feature. Check the list of Samsung Knox-protected Samsung phones to find out if your phone has this feature.
How do I update Samsung Knox to install the latest protection?
Samsung Knox is automatically updated with OTA system updates. You don't have to update it separately.
Is Samsung Knox secure?
Samsung Knox has been classified as defense-grade security and certified by multiple government agencies. This means that the system is remarkably secure. However, nothing is infallible. The first line of defense is always your common sense. Don't install apps from unreputed sources or download anything from shady websites.
Samsung Knox explained: Understanding the tech guarding your data
Samsung Knox safeguards your data against malicious attacks and hacks. Plus, Samsung Knox is available for Samsung phones and other devices, including the best Samsung smartwatches and tablets. We hope this guide helps you understand the technology guarding your data. Also, learn how to protect your digital privacy on Android to restrict the data you share with Google.
