What’s More Secure? iOS or Android?
So it seems Symantec did an independent study of mobile operating systems. They attempted to measure how secure Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms are, and also determine how the mobile systems stack to today's desktop operating systems. Symantec claims that these mobile platforms are much more secure than today's popular desktop operating systems, though the firm does suggest that the key variable as always is the "human element".
"Today's mobile devices are a mixed bag when it comes to security" said Carey Nachenberg, Symantec Fellow and Chief Architect, in a statement. "While more secure than traditional PCs. these platforms are still vulnerable to many traditional attacks. Moreover, enterprise employees are increasingly using un-managed, personal devices to access sensitive enterprise resources; and then connecting these devices to 3rd-party services outside the governance of their enterprise, potentially exposing key assets to attackers."
While Symantec does not come right out and say who is better in security it is pretty clear they favor iOS more than Android. It says iOS' app screening procedure plays a HUGE role in the platforms security and also says the platform's architecture makes it better at resisting mal-ware attacks and data integrity attacks.
So PPCGeeks, it seems that iOS is better in security than Android; of course this is all relative and nothing is official as it is always changing in the mobile world. What do you think is better secured (iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7)? If mobile OS anti-virus/mal-ware protection was offered would you buy into it? How safe do you feel while using your device?
source: BGR
© 2011, JasonFieldz. All rights reserved.
I personally have not noticed my phones being hit by anything. Thing is though, smart phones are becoming a HUGE widely used commodity. With that the people that do all this malicious software might soon be coding there things for our now personal mini-computers. The popular an OS is, the more it is going to be the target. iOS and Android are getting up there quick.
Time can only tell whether or not we will NEED anti-virus/mal-ware protection. When that day comes, I know I will be getting the protection app(s). Better to be safe, I agree.
I’ll skip on the protection, I like riding bare back.
Well for me, I’m not gonna wait. I already currently run an anti virus on my Thunderbolt. It scans every package I install. I think its inevitable, that whenever a device can connect to the internet, that it becomes vulnerable. Even more so on a rooted device. You may have noticed, you will already find a FREE BETA of Norton’s Anti-Virus from Symantec in the Android Market.
SGS2 with hardware encryption for the win?
Though by the source article the advantage iOS has in terms of security is the screened marketplace..this is partly why I have been using Amazon marketplace lately..cause the apps tend to be more pre-screened…though not because I am afraid of malware..more because these are used in business applications and want to avoid giving credentials to a risky 3rd party…
Ironically there is no mention of how Android fairs when rooted :/
Can install every anti-virus in the world, but the only thing you are going to do is slow down your system. If someone is dumb enough to install mal-ware, they’ll get around it. iOS or Android doesn’t matter. They are correct that the human element makes all the difference.
I personally don’t care if mal-ware makes its way onto my phone. Flash, backups, and I’m clean again without some crap hogging resources. Yes, Norton Anti-Virus is crap. It has been for a long time. It’s been installed on most idiots’ computers that I have to repair.
santod Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 11:41 pm
@saibot,
It’s true for any type of system, that runs an anti-virus in the background, scanning for every file change will use up resources. I personally use a Free Anti Virus option I chose from the Market, not to run in the background, but only when a package is being installed, it then scans that package and states if it’s clear and free of malware or viruses. So in all reality, it only briefly uses resources when I install an application, and at no other time. I don’t see a need for constant scanning on a mobile yet, like there is on some desktops. But to each his own. I like to know what apps are bad, so I don’t reinstall them again after I go through with my backup restore routine, just to get back to square one. Besides, I have the resources and don’t mind it using a little, if it keeps someone else from stealing any of mine. I also know my way around a computer quite well and find prevention is usually easier then recovery.
gTen Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 7:56 am
@saibot, Well you cant fix user errors..but I use Norton on my pcs and never had a virus once in 10 years on any of my pcs..thing about Norton is you gotta get the Norton Internet Security, not just the Antivirus as that is not enough. And not to get Norton 360 as that is just useless bloat. Now where norton ends up lacking a bit is the spyware department, which means it needs to be paired with Spybot and Malwarebyte. And best of all Norton Internet Security can be gotten for free every year after rebate.
I won’t “buy into it” … but I will take it for free. Since I don’t flash daily and dont have the time to backup.. I use the freeware out there in the Market.
Different strokes for different folks is the real answer here people, and the idiots should have the paid version on their Android devices so they don’t send or steal 5#|+ from me.