iPhones appear much more secure than Android smartphones

Ever since the introduction of the Apple II by Apple Computer, Inc. (yes, they once had that name) I have watched the growth and acceptance of their computers in the business environment.  In some industries like publishing and music, the Apple computers reined supreme, but for most business applications the PC ruled.

On plus was that the Apple computers seemed just about impervious to viruses, Trojans and like infections.  Of course, this was not really true; there were a lot more PCs on the market and the hacker tools energies concentrated on the bigger target, the PC.

A friend at Apple admitted to me years ago that, per million lines of code, the Macs were just as vulnerable as PCs were.  They were just a smaller target.

Now there are reports that the iPhones are more secure than Android smartphones.  Surprisingly, this is true, but not due to the operating system or the hardware.  The much smaller number of infections for iPhones is just due to Apple’s iron-fisted control of the apps.

If you want an app for an Android smartphone you can go to the Android Marketplace, Amazon, and a plethora of other stores.  You can also get apps directly through third-party vendors and from app programmers.

Just do a search for an app on any search engine and you will find any app imaginable.  I searched for Angry Birds and found a host of sites carrying the games.  I also see some Angry Birds providers that are not legitimate and have had friends with DROID’s infected by such a program.

If you have an iPhone, you can only get an app from Apple’s App Store.  Apple examines and thoroughly tests each app that is in the Apps Store.

I know a couple of people that have had Apple approve their apps and they said it was a long, grueling and painful process.  Publishing a like app, even with the Android Marketplace was a lot easier.  On top of that, they could have published direct to the users is they wished.

With six times the number of infections, the Android smartphones need your help.

I have some suggestions that can keep them safer:

• Immediately purchase an anti-virus and anti-malware program for your Android handset AND your iPhone if you have one.  Purchase the full-blown version – it will be well worth the expense.  The free versions typically do not perform as well as the professional versions.  Above all, get a well-known and proven antivirus and anti-malware vendor.
• Only download apps from reputable places, like the Android Market and Amazon’s Appstore for Androids to name a couple.  Yes, there may be other apps stores that are safe, but I am not about to name them all.  AND, yes, you can find infected apps in those marketplaces on occasion, but they are rare.  Stay away from apps aggregators as they tend to collect all the apps they can find and they really can find them all, including the nasty ones.
• Ignore the uses “*” (stars) ratings for an indication that the app is safe.  An app developer that wants you to download a free app that steals your credit card numbers and passwords and also hijacks you contacts lists can also get his app up in the 5 stars are quite easily.
• When installing an app, pay attention to all the permissions it requires.  Use common sense and decline they apps that want complete control of everything on your phone unless you are 100% sure it is good.
• If you get an anti-virus or anti-malware warning when installing do not continue.  Block the installation and then run the protection programs to remove and viruses or Trojans.  In fact, if you get a warning anytime from your protection programs, run a scan.
• If you get a virus or Trojan warning that is not from your protection program, stop, disconnect from the web by disabling the data and Wi-Fi.  Run a scan immediately.
• Enable automatic updates for your protection software so you will always be protected with the latest definitions.

Stay safe out there in the mobile cyber world!