All it takes for you to be vulnerable is to install an app that does not even ask for any permission. Download Checkpoint’s app from the Google Store to check your device’s vulnerability to this exploit.

If you are using an Android smartphone, it’s very likely that it’s powered by a Qualcomm. Checkpoint Security has revealed that many Qualcomm’s chips are at a serious risk, since vulnerabilities have been found which exploit the chip’s drivers for elements such as memory, graphics and routing, so as to get root access, install malware and hijack your device.

All an attacker has to do is to load a seemingly innocuous app, which does not even ask for any permission, to deliver its deadly payload.

Given the popularity of Qualcomm chips, the vulnerability could affect most Android devices. As per Checkpoint’s estimate the figure could be anywhere in the range of 900 million to 1.4 billion as of fall 2015.

In case you want to know whether your smartphone is affected by this vulnerability, do install Checkpoint’s app.

Although three of the four vulnerabilities have already been patched, a fix to the fourth is in the works. Newer Nexus devices have already been patched against this vulnerability. However, other Android vendors are likely to be vulnerable to the exploit.

The best way to be safe is to not sideload apps and to stick to Google Play downloads. Having said that, those countries, such as China, where Google does not have an official store, are particularly open to attack from this exploit.