Online security has always been a big issue, and while mobile devices have been relatively immune to viruses and malware in general, the widespread use of these devices have made them prone to the attacks of unscrupulous individuals and groups. In the world of desktop and laptop computers, it is generally accepted that Windows is the weakest. That is also mainly due to the number of its users.
In the mobile arena, we have two main players, Apple iOS and Android. Which one is better when it comes to security?
Being an Apple-centric site, we are probably expected to immediately say “Apple iOS” without thinking twice. If you have read my post titled “Reasons to Buy the iPad Mini“, however, you might have an inkling of how I do not love Apple blindly. Almost, but not quite.
Having said that, I don’t dare to be so cocky as to say without thought that, in the Apple versus Android security discussion, the former wins hands down. Luckily for you and me, others have taken up the task of taking a look at the situation.
The guys at Ladbrokes, an online casino, have created an infographic pitting Apple against Android in a battle of security. Granted, they probably have their own agenda in coming up with this graphic (we know how that works), but the information presented is useful nonetheless.
Smartphone usage in the world
Before we present the Apple Versus Android Security infographic, it is worth nothing that as of January of this year, 1.08 billion people use smartphones. That number is nothing to scoff at, and that is more than enough reason for virus and malware creators to target this market. Add to that the fact that more and more, people use their smartphones to access sites containing sensitive information – mobile banking, FTW! – and one really does not have to think hard about why smartphones are an appealing target.
The risk of hacked apps
So what if your app is hacked? Will that affect you in anyway? Definitely! The infographic gives a pretty scary scenario or, at the very least, something to be concerned about. Hacked apps have the potential to:
- Disable or circumvent security features
- Unlock or change settings
- Steal and sell personal information
- Send unauthorized text messages or make premium calls
- Install and spread malware from your phone
The numbers
So let’s take a look at actual numbers.
The gathered data actually surprised me, with 80% of the top 15 free Android apps being hacked and 100% of the top 100 paid apps being hacked as well! Isn’t that totally crazy???
Apple, on the other hand, has 40% of the top free apps hacked and 92% of paid apps hacked.
Obviously, Apple wins this round, although I don’t really understand the rationale behind the numbers. Do you?
As for overall security, it seems that it all boils down to Apple’s policy of strictly regulating apps in the store as opposed to the Android marketplace’s policy of no regulation by Google.
Do you see where this is headed? At this point, it is rather easy to see which one will come out as the winner in the Apple versus Android security showdown.
Why not take a look at more figures?
Here’s the question: Does this information weigh in on your choice of smartphone?
2 thoughts on “Apple Versus Android Security: The Lowdown”
“…80% of the top 15 free Android apps being hacked and 100% of the top 100 paid apps being hacked as well… Apple, on the other hand, has 40% of the top free apps hacked and 92% of paid apps hacked.”
I’m sorry, this is just plain bullshit. Did they cite any kind of source for that?
It may not mean what you think it means. It’s referring to cracked apps available to download from websites or torrents. For the iPhone, this would only work if jailbroken.