Whilst the threat of viruses and malware were once the sole preserve of
computer users, the increasing number of devices we use to conduct business
online means that internet security is becoming increasingly important,
regardless of the mobile phones, tablets and operating systems we use.
The most popular operating systems used on both smartphones and tablets devices today are undoubtedly Windows, Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. These systems have a number of fundamental similarities and differences, both from hardware and software perspectives. Which of these operating systems is the most secure in terms of safety has been a matter of debate for as long as they have been on the market, with arguments for and against on both sides of the fence.
Different operating system, different risks:
Various business leaders in server security have laid claims that Android is the more susceptible of the two when it comes to attacks and viruses. The main reasoning for this is that Android is an open-source platform, and this greater transparency makes it much easier for hackers to better understand the source code and architecture of the system. Since the software is available for free, and programmers are encouraged to create content, many users opt for Android because it allows for and facilitates a much wider variety of content. The Android Market is completely open, and apps are unscreened. It’s also possible to install apps from other sources, such as from an SD card. Of course, it’s easy to see how this open ended approach can utilised for nefarious purposes. Although figures can differ, many reports suggest that Android has the upper hand in terms of user numbers, which is another reason why hackers might favour it.
iOS makes use of the sandbox concept, which essentially isolates the entire platform. This means that it’s easier to prevent viruses from replicating or hiding to avoid virus scanners. It’s arguable that there are less developers in the Apple world too, so by law of averages there are less malicious pieces of software. Apple also vets each app available in their app store to ensure that only safe software is available in its marketplace. While this means that Apple users might seem to be safer from malware and viruses, the possibility of being struck by a ‘social engineering’ attack is still prevalent. Social engineering attacks work by tricking users into installing or authorising the download of malicious software. Users are also likely to compromise their security by using a ‘jailbroken’ device, the software of which is modified in order to run pirated and unauthorised apps. As hackers come up with more and more sophisticated ways of compromising mobile phone security, user demand for appropriate security measures also increase.
Smartphones and tablets are increasingly taking on the roles which computers traditionally served the purpose for, in both our business and personal lives. With this shift in operations comes a greater need for security and antivirus software, in order to protect machines as well as personal data.
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