Smartphones that are running on older versions of Google Android is facing the biggest threat from malware.
Harry Sverdlove, chief technology officer at Waltham security company Bit9 has said, “If I am an attacker, I’m going to get the highest bang for my buck going after an android.”
The problem
The problem lies in the fact that manufacturers are more interested in launching more advanced models instead of updating the versions of the older gadgets. The problem is getting unbearable since the Android has recently captured more than fifty per cent of the phone market and it is on the manufacturers, to improve and update it.
Bit9 is not concerned with the protection of smartphones but to see the rising trend of the malware stealing damaging information from smartphones, it was tempted to do a study on the most vulnerable smartphones. The results were startling – all the twelve most likely gadgets run on android. The list was topped by Samsung Galaxy Mini and followed by HTC desire. The threat is such that malicious apps can steal passwords to obtain unauthorised running to your credit card and financial documents.
Response to the problem
Samsung did not respond to the demand of updating their software and neither did Google. At least HTC has shown interest and has assured the updating and testing of older versions. Bit9 has also specified iPhones that could not install updated software as an ‘Honorary mention.’
In the context, Sverdlove specified that there is a higher barrier to entry and difficult to remove the existing update in Apple. Hence for the miscreants to make an app in the Apple app store is extremely difficult.
Talking in the same context Greg Riaz, Brookline mobile app developer CEO, commented that if miscreants do not need permission to open a website then they can easily install mobile app such as a malware.
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