If you own a Samsung phone, you have probably heard about the mysterious SKMS agent and the rumors that the application is malicious. But is the app really malicious, or are people just paranoid about it?
The SKMS agent is neither malicious nor a virus. It is a legitimate Samsung system app that comes pre-installed on phones and performs several beneficial functions.
Below is everything you need to know about the application, from its developers to what it does, benefits, and more.
What does the SKMS agent do on your phone?
SKMS agent (Samsung KMS agent) is a system app part of the Samsung Knox platform, a security platform offering data protection solutions for your device.
The Samsung KMS agent performs several functions on your phone, including:
1. Acts as a client application for eSE and SKMS
One of the major roles of the SKMS agent is serving as a client application (a secure go-between) for two vital Samsung mobile services – eSE and SKMS.
eSE (Embedded Secure Element) is a tamper-proof chip that offers a secure environment for storing and processing sensitive data, for example, pins, passwords, payment card data, cryptocurrency credentials, and cryptography keys.
SKMS, on the other hand, is a secure service that supports creating and managing encryption keys.
In its role as a client application, the SKMS agent carries out the following functions:
- Authentication and authorization of requests between eSE and SKMS and eSE and other apps on your phone.
- Supporting encryption and decryption processes on your phone/
- Managing key permissions in SKMS
2. Manages SKMS protocols
The SKMS agent manages the communication protocols within SKMS and forwards commands from SKMS to eSE, thus ensuring the secure and smooth execution of various mobile services, such as making payments.
3. Supports mobile NFC services
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a vital service that supports short-range and contactless interaction between your phone and other devices.
You can use it to make contactless payments, share data (contacts), access control for security systems, and more.
The SKMS agent facilitates secure communication between eSE and NFC applications (such as payment apps), guaranteeing smooth and secure transactions.
Benefits of SKMS agent application?
Having the SKMS agent on your phone can offer several benefits, including:
1. Protecting sensitive data
The SKMS agent acts as a secure interface between SKMS, eSE, and system/third-party applications. It also manages encryption and decryption processes on these platforms.
Therefore, it is a useful tool for protecting sensitive data like payment card details, passwords, mobile wallet details, and more from unauthorized access.
2. Enhancing your device’s security
The SKMS agent supports eSE and SKMS, two platforms vital to your device’s security.
It also facilitates secure communication between these platforms and other applications, ensuring maximum security when performing various actions, such as making payments or sharing contacts.
3. Ensuring the smooth operation of your device
KSMS agent allows for the smooth operation of various services on your device, for example:
- NFC payments
- Contactless sharing of contacts
- Validation of digital identities, signatures, and keys stored in the eSE.
- Management of e-SIM, whose profile is stored in the eSE.
Without the agent, some of these services would not work well (or at all).
Is the SKMS agent harmful to your device?
The SKMS agent is not harmful to your device. If anything, it is a vital system tool that can improve the security of your device and the sensitive data stored in it.
But, despite being a system app, there are a few concerning issues about the application that you should take note of:
1. The mysterious nature of the application
One major concern most people have about the SKMS agent is that it comes pre-installed and has very little information about it online. In addition, it runs in the background and has several permissions enabled.
However, the information above about the application’s functions and benefits should be enough to quell any concerns about it being malicious.
2. The possibility of the application being bloatware
Some users have complained about SKMS agent being installed on their phones, yet it is listed as not device-compatible in the Google Play Store.
Therefore, there is a chance that you might have the application installed on your phone, but it is not working. This would make it bloatware that takes valuable storage resources on your device.
3. Presence of application in untrusted app stores
The Samsung KMS agent is not malicious but is available for download on several untrusted sources.
Therefore, users trying to update the app might download it from these sources, especially when it is listed as incompatible with their devices on the Google Play Store.
Unfortunately, downloading the application from these untrusted sources could introduce malware and viruses on your device, corrupting the phone’s software or even damaging it.
Should you uninstall the SKMS agent from your phone?
While the SKMS agent application has a few concerning issues, it is perfectly safe. It also performs several critical security functions, so it is not advisable to uninstall it.
More so, being a pre-installed system app, deleting it from your phone would be a complex procedure.
That’s because you must root your device first and use a root uninstaller application.
Alternatively, you would have to enable the developer mode on your device and uninstall the app using an Android Debug Bridge Studio on your PC.
These uninstallation methods are technically complex and carry some risks, including corrupting your phone, causing extensive device damage, voiding your warranty, or even making your phone completely useless.
Therefore, you are better off leaving the SKMS agent installed on your device.
