Results 13 to 24 of 29
-
Re: Another Reason I Will Never Own an Android Phone
Well, unfortunately Sirdowski, I know quite a few who have had their mobile devices compromised. However, I don't believe I am a good one to use for a litmus test as I work in the field of cyber security and I work closely with folks like Symantec, F-Secure, Akamai, etc.
You are right and wrong that malware on smart phones is easy to prevent. In most cases, yes, it is easy to prevent if someone is looking out for that type of thing. However, how many mobile device users in the entire world think about mobile malware? I mean, there is a reason why Nigerian scammers are so successful when it comes to the ridiculous email scams that they send to people (e.g. "Help me transfer this money into your bank account and I'll give you X% of it!"). If it didn't work, they wouldn't do it.
That said, there is a lot of malware out there that can compromise someone's smart phone just from them visiting a website. There isn't anything you can do about someone else's website being compromised with an exploit kit designed to exploit vulnerabilities on a phone (or computer). The only way to figure that out is after the compromise has already happened and even in some cases the malware developers are very sophisticated and are able to run the malware behind other regular processes on the phone so any AV or IDS system may not even catch it.
Originally Posted by Sirdowski
Using third party vendors is probably one of the easiest ways to get popped with a malicious app. So, if you want to watch a couple of YouTube vids and go download some apps from third party vendors that don't adhere to the same security standards that Google Play and/or Apple Store do, then by all means. It's your phone. I wouldn't recommend it though.
Originally Posted by Sirdowski
There is some really nasty malware out there and it isn't stuff that only non-tech folks fall for.
In May some malicious hackers exploited the website belonging to Federal News Radio in what we refer to as a "drive by download attack" (sometimes also referred to as a wateringhole...but those are more targeted). All someone had to do was visit the FNR website and they stood a good chance of getting compromised depending on their operating system (Windows) and the browser they were using (Internet Explorer). About a month later (after the PRISM leaks surfaced) another group of hackers did a similar style of attack using an actual PRISM article and posted it on the Washington Free Beacon's website. To make matters worse, Drudge Report (without knowing it) linked to that very PRISM article on the Free Beacon. Now, Free Beacon only averages maybe 1500 website views per day, but Drudge Report is much more.Disclaimer: The content posted is of my own opinion.
-
07-11-2013, 08:29 PM #14Regular 1st Stringer
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Posts
- 488
-
07-11-2013, 08:47 PM #15
Re: Another Reason I Will Never Own an Android Phone
Playful jabs aside, I never bought into the Apple v. Android debate simply because I can completely understand why someone might prefer one device over another. Some people simply do not need their phone to do some of the things smart phones are capable of. However, I think it's a legitimate point that with Apple you do sacrifice freedom for security, and conversely with Android, sacrifice security for freedom. For me, what I am able to do with my phone is worth the small potential risk of getting a virus that a little caution and attentiveness can't prevent.
“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt
-
07-11-2013, 08:55 PM #16Regular 1st Stringer
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Posts
- 488
-
-
-
Re: Another Reason I Will Never Own an Android Phone
Zi agree, Theyre pretty similar at the end of the day. Although Id say samsung has actually outdone apple recently from a tech standpoint (hence the petty lawsuits between the two). Most of the "ill never own an android again" crowd also seems to be judged from lesser grade phones from my experience, or heavily outdated ones. Problem with android, the OS is available on multiple manufacturers and gets lumped in as one phone. When i hear people say ill never own an iphone again, i know its from apple. Ive had 2 androids (samsung is all ill own) and no issues whatsoever. Ive had family with iphone issues so really its about what you experience.
-JAB
-
07-11-2013, 09:33 PM #20Regular 1st Stringer
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Posts
- 488
Re: Another Reason I Will Never Own an Android Phone
I don't even own a phone...
But I do have this kick-ass nook color running on android, giving me more (personal) functionality than an iPad for 1/4 of the price.
-
07-11-2013, 09:52 PM #21
Re: Another Reason I Will Never Own an Android Phone
Agreed. I do my best to try to inform others about being smart, and for many people I would, and have, recommended an iPhone.
I've been on the Samsung bandwagon as well. I recently upgraded from the Galaxy S II to the Note II and have been very, very happy with it. Most people dislike Android because it's too much like a computer, but that's exactly what I love, anything I can do on a computer I can do on my phone, especially with the Note II's big screen.“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt
-
07-12-2013, 07:45 AM #22Legendary RSR Poster
- Join Date
- Aug 2007
- Location
- Houston, TX Y'all
- Posts
- 34,414
Re: Another Reason I Will Never Own an Android Phone
Anyone else notice how territorial some people get about their phone choice?
I've noticed it here and amongst my friends. It's almost an emotional decision by some.
-
07-12-2013, 08:11 AM #23
-
Bookmarks