FBI warns Android Phones are Havens for Malware

[CameraQuest]

hmm.
maybe iphones really are better.

FBI warns that Android phones are havens for malware
http://news.yahoo.com/fbi-warns-android-phones-havens-malware-181958059.html

I would guess that would apply to Android tablets too...

time to rethink that Android banking and Paypal app ?

Stephen

 

[rogue_designer]

time to rethink that Android banking and Paypal app ?

Only if you do for any windows based PC. The same precautions apply. Use common sense, don't leave yourself or your phone wide open and unprotected, use antivirus and you're generally fine.

 

[willie_901]

iPhones are neither better nor worse. Risk evaluation is complicated and the end user is often the most significant variables.

Apple uses a closed eco-structure they control. While this frustrates some people, it does help greatly with risk management.

Android is exactly the opposite. Risk management becomes the responsibility of the end user. Well-informed Android owners who select phones from vendors and mobile probiders with a track record of risk minimization will have less risk than those who don't. The same goes for Apps. Ask Android owners who is responsible for their phone's security updates? Is is it the mobile provider who bundled the phone and OS? Is is the phone manufacturer? How do they get updates? How do they know when there is an update? Do they visit risky web sites and click links in emails indiscreetly?

Ask iPhone owners about Apple's track record with iOS security. How fast does/can Apple respond? How well can they vet the thousands of Apps submitted for approval every week? How many iOS owners sync their device regularly to learn an update is available and then take the time to do the update? Do they visit risky web sites and click links in emails indiscreetly?

Apple can not promise or achieve zero risk. Well-informed, diligent Android owners can't avoid risk either.

Disclosure: Since 1986 the only computer/smart phones I've purchased with my own money were Apple products.

 

[Joosep]

iPhones are neither better nor worse. Risk evaluation is complicated and the end user is often the most significant variables.

Apple uses a closed eco-structure they control. While this frustrates some people, it does help greatly with risk management.

Android is exactly the opposite. Risk management becomes the responsibility of the end user. Well-informed Android owners who select phones from vendors and mobile probiders with a track record of risk minimization will have less risk than those who don't. The same goes for Apps. Ask Android owners who is responsible for their phone's security updates? Is is it the mobile provider who bundled the phone and OS? Is is the phone manufacturer? How do they get updates? How do they know when there is an update? Do they visit risky web sites and click links in emails indiscreetly?

Ask iPhone owners about Apple's track record with iOS security. How fast does/can Apple respond? How well can they vet the thousands of Apps submitted for approval every week? How many iOS owners sync their device regularly to learn an update is available and then take the time to do the update? Do they visit risky web sites and click links in emails indiscreetly?

Apple can not promise or achieve zero risk. Well-informed, diligent Android owners can't avoid risk either.

Disclosure: Since 1986 the only computer/smart phones I've purchased with my own money were Apple products.

Bullseye. Now this post saved us a few pages ? 😉

 

[it'sawhat?]

Willie as a linux user i thought I'd never agree with an apple user, but you nailed it spot on.

 

[oftheherd]

My cell phone is the dumbest I can get. Having attended several lectures by people who specialize in cell/iphone security (and insecurity), can wait to get home where I have a little more control. That said, most of them agree, if you practice safe use, keep you antivirus and updates current, and don't click unknown URLs, you will mostly be OK. Crooks always look for the easy targets.

 

[Roger Hicks]

My cell phone is the dumbest I can get. Having attended several lectures by people who specialize in cell/iphone security (and insecurity), can wait to get home where I have a little more control. That said, most of them agree, if you practice safe use, keep you antivirus and updates current, and don't click unknown URLs, you will mostly be OK. Crooks always look for the easy targets.

Betcha mine's dumber! ALL it does is makes 'phone calls. Doesn't even have a camera. I dread the day it breaks...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Willie has it right.

I use OS-X, Linux, Windows, VMS, Symbian and a variety of Mainframe OSes. Any system can be cracked, if you enlist the aid of the user. By the same token, it's almost impossible to crack a system run by a suitably paranoid user. Whatever you use, you need to start by employing the operating system that runs on the wetware between your ears.

 

[jfretless]

"users should avoid jailbreaking or rooting their devices to avoid greater security concerns."

LOL. Security concerns for who? The FBI, that's who. Sounds like the FBI doesn't want any competition when it comes to the ability to track and monitor persons of interest.

 

[bigeye]

People are building phones for classified use on Android. Google a NSA project called "fishbowl". You can't approach this level of security with IOS or Windows. These are very secure and behave like regular phones.

See SE Android

.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

Cash is KING. Cameras should be cameras. How can you track a leica M3 with TRI-X...