Cell Phone Vulnerabilities
What Cell Phone OS is most vulnerable -‐ From Phys.org (edited)
Good news! Android OS has around 80% of the total market share. This is in part due to price and the range of devices using the Android OS. The bad news is that the Android platform has the most malware. Google does control which apps go on sale on its official Google Play store, but there are many rogue unofficial Google Play sites hosting a collection of free applications that will compromise your phone as well as give away personal details such as your credit card number if you use them.
The malware experts have challenged even Google’s claims that the official store is secure.
The problem with Android is that because of its popularity and the open source nature of the platform, it is an easy target. So if you get an Android phone or tablet, you should consider installing an anti-‐malware application.
Apple iPhone
If you have not jailbroken your iPhone, removing all the restrictions implemented by Apple, you are very safe from malware. If you have jailbroken your iPhone, you voided any warranty and support from Apple, and you have a very exposed smartphone.
Is Windows OS good? For now, don’t worry about Windows phones. Microsoft has not yet gained market significance in this sector, and still only holds around 2.3% of the market.
Chinese phones come with preloaded with spyware -‐ From Associated Press Berlin.
A Chinese-‐made smartphone carried by major online retailers comes preinstalled with espionage software. This Android OS smartphone already ships with dangerous malware preinstalled. G Data Software said it found malicious codes hidden deep in the propriety software of the Star N9500 when it ordered the handset from a website late last month. The find is the latest in a series of incidents where smartphones have appeared preloaded with malicious software.
G Data spokesman Thorsten Urbanski said his firm bought the phone after getting complaints about it from several customers. He said his team spent more than a week trying to trace the handset’s maker without success. They have no idea who the manufacturer is or where, other than China, they are located.
Fake Security Apps
Several fake security app such as Kaspersky Anti-‐Virus 2014 have been found on several sites. Kaspersky rightly has some of the best mobile anti malware and anti virus software – but that is not the name of their product.
So, you don’t like getting hacked? Tough stuffing – over half of Americans have been hacked or had their information compromised in the last year. We are toting around mobile devices, phones, pads, and cars all with weak applications that are not fully tested. Holes are found every week exposing us to ever-‐greater threats and ever-‐ greater data compromises. Prepare for the compromise or suffer inordinately.
