Personal computing discussed
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nssatikunvar wrote:Now the question is how secure is an android device when it comes to security?
TheRazorsEdge wrote:nssatikunvar wrote:Now the question is how secure is an android device when it comes to security?
It depends entirely on the manufacturer.
There are vulnerabilities in Android just like there are in iOS, Windows Phone, and desktop OSes. It's up to the manufacturer to release patches in a timely manner.
Most of them fail horribly. I would strongly recommend reading up on the patching performance of a particular vendor before buying their products. The Google-sanctioned Nexus and Pixel devices generally receive updates immediately.
Also, don't sideload apps or install alternative app stores unless you really know what you're doing. There have been nasty things distributed through those channels. This applies more to Android than iOS solely because Apple has made it more difficult to do those things in the first place.
Both platforms have had things slip into their official stores, so you're facing some risks regardless of how safe you try to be. I believe both Google and Apple can revoke apps from their respective stores if issues are discovered, so there is that at least.
Olson23 wrote:generally, android devices are secure. it's us, the users, who aren't.
Android as an operating system is very secure. It has multiple layers of protection to keep malware at bay, and it requires your specific permission to do almost anything that could lead to your data or the system being compromised. However, Android is an open system that trusts you the user and its community of developers to do the right thing. If you want to, you can give away a lot of permissions, and even access to deeper parts of the system if you've rooted your phone.
Robotics wrote:Olson23 wrote:generally, android devices are secure. it's us, the users, who aren't.
Android as an operating system is very secure. It has multiple layers of protection to keep malware at bay, and it requires your specific permission to do almost anything that could lead to your data or the system being compromised. However, Android is an open system that trusts you the user and its community of developers to do the right thing. If you want to, you can give away a lot of permissions, and even access to deeper parts of the system if you've rooted your phone.
I dont agree this. A lot of malware apps in the store. Android system looking sweety and nice but security is low. Apple ecosystem generaly more secure than droids.
Flying Fox wrote:Robotics wrote:Olson23 wrote:generally, android devices are secure. it's us, the users, who aren't.
Android as an operating system is very secure. It has multiple layers of protection to keep malware at bay, and it requires your specific permission to do almost anything that could lead to your data or the system being compromised. However, Android is an open system that trusts you the user and its community of developers to do the right thing. If you want to, you can give away a lot of permissions, and even access to deeper parts of the system if you've rooted your phone.
I dont agree this. A lot of malware apps in the store. Android system looking sweety and nice but security is low. Apple ecosystem generaly more secure than droids.
Google Play store should be pretty good since they actively scan for stuff (like Apple) and take down relatively quick (can do better of course). It is the 3rd party and pirate stores that are malware laden. Same basic computing principle applies: don't install anything and everything that you see in first sight. Only install what you need and stay with brand names.
blahsaysblah wrote:I would answer this another way. You don't have a choice. Its either an iPhone, a Nexus/Pixel or recently some Samsung flagships(if you are careful with version and carrier match). Those are the only ones getting security updates. If you read the monthly patch list for Android, you'd know you're sticking your head in sand with none patched phones. Now most people it really doesn't matter. But if you live in a crowded city, are traveling,... There are just too many random creeps that could accidentally target you.
In and of itself, because of how/where Googles real revenue comes from(ads, which needs proper tracking), the permission architecture has always been and was again moved in the last major permission revamp to not give you control over your data.
You will never see Contacts permission have an Android system level helper ask you who to provide to app. App gets everything.
You will never see Internet have any constraint (specific domain name, no IP,)... Internet permission hasnt been flagged as critical/dangerous permission, requiring a warning on app install since 5.0.
Fact is, you really just dont have a choice and absolutely no way to know what happens to your data. Google will never help with that. When you give any app access to permissions because it just wants to make it easy for you to in game share something with friend, you are just wishing. They have access to any IP on internet and can send everything.
Android will always be all or nothing permissions. Anything else will hurt Googles bottom line.
Ive always used Nexus, so i dont have personal experience with iPhone, but fact that Nexus/Pixel only get 3 years updates(from launch day) and the fact that Pixel will always be very expensive phones only, im thinking to switch to iPhone as you get updates longer. Have to research first. If im going to have head in sand, my as well do it in style and hate to say this but get my moneys worth. The new Pixel was a truly bad value all around.
TL;DR: Android will always be architect-ed and constrained by the Google's actual revenue source(ads/which need tracking+info). Apple's big revenue stream is not. Hence the big differences. Also, App store is not safe, time and again, to this day, malware has been found on Playstore. You have internet access, you can load anything you want from there, after you've been installed and certain criteria met. (not running inside Google detection VM and in real phone out in world).
Robotics wrote:Olson23 wrote:generally, android devices are secure. it's us, the users, who aren't.
Android as an operating system is very secure. It has multiple layers of protection to keep malware at bay, and it requires your specific permission to do almost anything that could lead to your data or the system being compromised. However, Android is an open system that trusts you the user and its community of developers to do the right thing. If you want to, you can give away a lot of permissions, and even access to deeper parts of the system if you've rooted your phone.
I dont agree this. A lot of malware apps in the store. Android system looking sweety and nice but security is low. Apple ecosystem generaly more secure than droids.
notfred wrote:Upfront disclaimer, I'm a BlackBerry employee but I don't work on the phone side of things.
BlackBerry does Android phones, the Priv, DTEK 50 and DTEK 60. They get the monthly Android Security patch, have signed bootloaders (so no rooting) and have some software on them called DTEK to check on the security level. Yes you can still install a random apk file and get all your data stolen, but if you are the least bit sensible then they are probably the most secure Android phones you can get.
blahsaysblah wrote:I would answer this another way. You don't have a choice. Its either an iPhone, a Nexus/Pixel or recently some Samsung flagships(if you are careful with version and carrier match). Those are the only ones getting security updates. If you read the monthly patch list for Android, you'd know you're sticking your head in sand with none patched phones. Now most people it really doesn't matter. But if you live in a crowded city, are traveling,... There are just too many random creeps that could accidentally target you.
Robotics wrote:Flying Fox wrote:Robotics wrote:
I dont agree this. A lot of malware apps in the store. Android system looking sweety and nice but security is low. Apple ecosystem generaly more secure than droids.
Google Play store should be pretty good since they actively scan for stuff (like Apple) and take down relatively quick (can do better of course). It is the 3rd party and pirate stores that are malware laden. Same basic computing principle applies: don't install anything and everything that you see in first sight. Only install what you need and stay with brand names.
yeah third party apps always have danger out side the store. But maybe look at ''wheather bug'' app and some of the others have malware. Some web sites warned about them. But they are on the store now. My antivirus program doesnt detect them. A lot of mindblowing ****.
kvndoom wrote:And always buy unlocked so that you don't have to wait on your carrier to get off their lazy arses and issue updates.
nssatikunvar wrote:Few days back I suffered a malware attack during my Facebook session on desktop, a malware was able to take control of my locked Android phone's Google chrome browser to call a web page through facebook messenger. I was using windows phone since last 5 year and recently switched to Android phone and this is a crucial concern as I'm using my phone for many banking and official activities. I never had a single issue with Windows phone or windows 10 mobile in past.
Now the question is how secure is an android device when it comes to security?
synthtel2 wrote:What I don't get is why the world is so alright with people not properly owning their devices.
synthtel2 wrote:Users have root by default on PCs. If it's alright there, it should be alright on phones.