Android vs. iOS: Which Is More Secure?

With the proliferation of smartphone technology, cybercriminals have retooled their method of attack to target these now ubiquitous platforms. In fact, a recent report by Securelist found 143,211 new malware modifications that target mobile devices in 2013. Therefore, when choosing a smartphone, security should be one of your primary concerns. Here is a comparison of where Android and iOS smartphones stand in terms of security concerns.

Android

• Malicious adware and malware are two of the greatest risks that Android operating systems must contend with. Malware has been found in apps on both the Google Play store and third-party application stores. According to Symantec, more than 23 percent of apps on Google Play contain “madware,” or malicious adware. These madware apps use aggressive ad libraries. The categories that contain the most madware are typically personalization, libraries and demos, reports Symantec.
• Android’s worldwide popularity has made it a primary topic for cybercriminals. Android runs on a lot of different hardware platforms, and some manufacturers are better than others in implementing Android’s security measures. Despite these threats, one of the best defenses for Android users is simply to update their smartphone operating system, especially because past versions of the Android operating system have had inconsistent security measures. This means that Android users cannot be passive in waiting for patches and updates, and instead they need to be proactive in updating their software.
• Despite this, downloading unknown applications riddled with malware will certainly circumvent any security measures you may have in place.

iOS

Apple circumvents many of the issues Android has regarding inconsistent software. System updates for iOS quickly reach all users across multiple platforms of Apple devices, whether it is an iPhone 6 or an iPad. There are also far less malware applications targeting Apple devices. According to the National Vulnerability Database, there were only 185 confirmed vulnerabilities on iOS in 2010 compared to the 325 on Android.

At a glance, iOS is the less vulnerable of the two systems. However, Apple does not maintain an open-source environment like Android does. This means that one well-crafted iOS virus could sweep across many devices. Apple’s grip over its software is tight whereas Android offers developers the opportunity to develop third-party solutions to these sorts of problems. For casual users, Apple handles everything.

Verdict

Although iOS is a powerful and carefully developed operating system, Android’s open-source status makes it far more adaptable to new threats created by cybercriminals. While there are less active threats to the iOS currently, users are completely reliant on first-party solutions from Apple to any threats that may occur. Apple’s control of its software could be its very downfall when a clever cybercriminal discovers an exploit.

Staying safe on Android requires more input from the user because the software must be updated regularly. Additionally, Android users must be much more wary of unknown applications. If you are savvy and maintain vigilance concerning your antivirus software and system updates, Android is the superior operating system when it comes to security against malware.