Any cellphone user’s highest priority must be mobile security. Today, smartphones have quickly grown to share and store our most private information. Whether used to manage our financial affairs, social lives, or company information, such devices contain valuable information that evil hackers can exploit. To maintain safety, you’ll need to use security-focused apps and devices. Many users are unprepared for the dangers of using mobile phones as a single point of contact for all of their critical data. Since users bear a large portion of the responsibility for safe behaviour, app & software developers and device manufacturers carry equal responsibility for designing secure systems. This article will go over mobile security across the major smartphone operating systems.
Mobile Security Threats Scope
With every passing year, the significance of mobile security grows. The IoT is the most crucial element, linking it all from our debit cards to our surveillance cameras to our mobiles. The proliferation of phone-centric technology exposes all endpoint consumers and organizations to risks.
Some of the most common mobile security threats are:
- Malware attacks, including spyware, viruses and trojans
- Social engineering attacks like phishing and spoofing
- Malignant data leaks or leaks through insider attacks and brute force attacks
- Users who have ineffective security features, such as privacy settings and weak passwords
- Security issues with hardware or software like zero-day exploit
Mobile Security Comparison
Buying a mobile phone from the most secure mobile brand is critical to setting the tone for mobile security. However, the question is, how safe is every mobile platform? And even more importantly, which mobile platform is the most secure?
Mobile devices are becoming both essential and pervasive in everybody’s lives, attracting the attention of cyber criminals keen to scam your sensitive data.
Like most people, you likely use one of these two mobile phone operating systems: Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. Consumers of these two phone models frequently argue as to which is superior. Consumers also tend to dismiss other products in the market, like Windows Phone and Blackberry.
Generally speaking, an increasing number of people are purchasing and using Android smartphones: As per Forrester Research, this operating system is installed on 3/4th of the general market phones.
On the other hand, Apple smartphones account for less than 1/4th of the market, while Windows phones account for only 4%.
Even though Android leads the consumption market, Apple has the most loyal user base. But the real question is, which is the more secure? iOS or Android? The truth is a little more complicated than a simple declaration of one brand’s supremacy over the other. This concern also exempts a large portion of the smartphone business that should be considered when developing secure mobile devices.
A few users favour design elements and convenience, whereas others prioritize security and cost. When comparing the safety of iPhone and Android, it is essential to consider what makes a mobile operating system safe. Apart from these two top operating systems, examining the other significant options is also crucial.
Let’s Begin with the Comparison.
Android Security
Android security has a dubious data protection reputation. With devices and operating system development occurring in total isolation, it appears that only the more prominent names in the Android smartphone industry obtain a rational life expectancy of assisted software updates. Operating system compatibility is much lesser for more vague models. By extension, app compatibility typically ends with an out-of-date operating system. Potential threats are also associated with Android’s more significant market share and open-source operating system. It provides hackers with the techniques and possible rewards they need to attack Android devices. Luckily, Google is continuously working to improve the security of Android phones. Today, users can take complete control of their security and privacy by enabling the security features in their phones. Furthermore, you can enhance the security of your Android phones by updating them with each OS upgrade and avoiding scam app installation.
iOS Security
Apple manages both its operating system as well as an app store. It’s why iOS is more secure than Android. However, this security comes with user restrictions. iOS consumers will be restricted to Apple-approved apps and devices. It sometimes frustrates the user when they want to install an application not supported by Apple. But it seems to be a good thing for mobile security. With fewer touchpoints across the environment, Apple can facilitate every one of their phones for a more extended period than devices with hardware-OS decentralization. Because of Apple’s smaller platform, sometimes older models could run on the latest OS and applications, obtaining all the advantages of new security updates. As an outcome, iPhone security has acquired a “safe and sustainable” prestige among consumers.
Windows Phone Security
Windows Phone also has some central authority, although it has a background of security flaws. Presently, Windows phones performance is boosting as more users join. Today, support and updates for Windows 10, Windows RT, and Windows Phone 8.1 OS are no longer accessible. Windows 10X seems to be the only phone operating system scheduled for an upcoming update but is not yet available. All this and no further development of previous phone devices make Windows phones a weak choice among users. Hence, low market consumption and almost no demand.
Blackberry Security
Blackberry is also renowned for tightly controlling apps and devices. Furthermore, it is designed for MDM, easy for companies to manage and shield their devices.
Regrettably, Blackberry operating system and its predecessor are now out of date. Also, Blackberry no longer manufactures mobile hardware, and it seems to halt its sale anytime now. It will consequently leave older blackberry phones prone to zero-day exploits.