Ads 468x60px

Monday, August 8, 2011

Symantec Gives Green Card to Apple iOS in Security against Android

iphone vs androidApple iOS and Google Android are the most widely used mobile operating systems in today's smart phones and are considered to safer than a traditional Desktop operating system. Due to the increasing popularity the privacy features provided are not enough to maintain a certain security level. 
According to a recent research conducted by Symantec about the security of Google Android and Apple's iOS, Symantec gave a green card to Apple iOS being more secure than Google Android. The research was conducted keeping in mind to examine the core security architecture & determining their strengths & weaknesses of both platforms. 
Below is the summary of analysis of the two platforms: 

Apple iOS

Advantages:
  • Better Access Control & Encryption
  • Control Policies using password with more options such as automatic data wipe after a certain number of failed password attempts.
  • App Store more secure due to certification and control.
  • Sandboxing to isolate applications.

Disadvantages:
  • Built-in hardware encryption increases the changes of a Hacker getting control of your device.
  • Apps can perform a wide range on actions which can raise potential privacy flags.

Android

Advantages:
  • Better Application Isolation
  • No built-in hardware encryption in Android 2.2 & 2.3. However, the tablet OS, Android 3.0, do have an option but is turned off by default.
  • Sandboxing to isolate applications.
  • Apps are blocked from accessing most of the system services unless a user explicitly grants permission after checking the list of permissions shown while installing an app.

Disadvantages:
  • Control Policies using password but no advanced options.
  • Android Market is more prone to Malware due to its openness.

For an in-depth, technical evaluation view this 23 Page "White Paper" (PDF INFO) released by Symantec.

What are your views?

Although I don’t see much difference regarding security in both of these platforms I guess Apple iOS wins the race with better control policy and app store. What’s your view? 

No comments:

Post a Comment