Android Security

[anticpated]

I found a link about Android Security and how passwords can be parsed and stolen.

http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/10/android-apps-expose-passwords-e-mail-and-more/

Personally I use Comodo Mobile Security and DroidWall firewall which uses the IP Tables method to round-robin check incoming and outgoing data.

[Bambino]

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it.

At the moment I'm using Lookout Security & Antivirus, which seems to work fine for me. I'm thinking of trying Avast, which I use on my laptop and which I like very much. The Droidwall firewall you mentioned can only be used if your phone is rooted. Same with the firewall within Avast.

[sheepdog]

I have no security on my Android phone and have no problems.

Oh wait, I don't have an Android phone      

Seriously though, this could be an interesting discussion on why mobile phones need additional security.

[Bambino]

I think this is a very good topic for discussion too. Mobile phones aren't just phones any more, but mini computers. Just as you have protection for your home computers or laptops, the same now holds true for phones. Personally, I wouldn't think of doing anything that had to do with banking on a phone or storing credit card details on it, but many people do. I think the idea of NFC is great, but I'm not sure how secure it is yet.

[anticpated]

Yep. Conventional security solutions won't be effective as those that only run in rooted handset. Whilst having a locked kernel protects you from removing anything important by mistake, it also allows rogue applications access to parts of the system you can't access otherwise.

Like a Linux installation you need to be a root user to install anything important like drivers, prerequisite applications which are part of the default setup as well as system files. Unfortunately root access can mean voiding your warranty (if anything goes wrong) although many official updates replace the kernel with a standard one with less privellages.

I used to think it was unnecessary to protect a mobile telephone however my views have altered over the months. My applications to avoid would be heavily advertised free applications with permissions beyond their functionality (like Live Wallpapers with permissions to read your contacts and have Internet Access). My biggest evasion would be Facebook, as this is biggest going spyware going. I use it on my computer alas on there I have more control over how information is distributed.

As for the iPhone, hackers couldn't probably be bothered writing Malware which is probably patented anyway . Also in some parts of the U.S., they will be introducing a radio filter which will disable your iPhone making is useless when in that same vicinity - such as the police, hospital, court and your data signal would also be shut-down so you couldn't use social networking websites for example.

OK I thought this was worth bringing to people's attention anyway.

[Toby]

Thanks for posting this anticpated! Very useful.