Android App Security Risk
Linked by David Adams on Thu 24th Jun 2010 16:22 UTC, submitted by Governa
Privacy, Security, Encryption About 20 percent of third-party apps available through the Android marketplace allow third-party access to sensitive data, and can do things like make calls and send texts without the owners' knowledge, according to a recent security report from security firm SMobile Systems. There's no indication that any of the highlighted apps is malicious, but the report does underscore the inherent risks of a more open ecosystem as opposed to Apple's oppressive yet more controlled environment, with every app being vetted before availability.
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RE[3]: Comment by anevilyak
by Tony Swash on Thu 24th Jun 2010 22:17 UTC in reply to "RE[2]: Comment by anevilyak"
Tony Swash
Member since:
2009-08-22

Just out of curiosity, are other people that the article's author seriously thinking that malware can't get on Apple's App Store as easily as on the Android Market ?


Of course malware is less likely on the Apple App Store than Android market. That's one the benefits of Apple's curated app distribution model with its built in quality control system. Its actually the main reason Apple do it that way.

Its best not to try to hide this - better to say the truth which is that the Android way is freer but less secure.

Its up to the end user what model they prefer more. The Android way where you get less security (and fewer apps) but those apps are distributed in a more decentralised and and less controlled way. Or the Apple way where there are more apps and their distribution and quality control is more restrictive.

Then leave the consumer to select the model they prefer.

I think the consumer will prefer safety (given the general experience of consumers during the Windows dominated desktop era) but I could be wrong - the end users will decide through their purchasing decisions.

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