iOS Much Safer Than Android

The amount of malware on mobile devices is quickly growing, putting many users at risk, many Android users. iOS is much safer than Android and attacks aren't easily made, thanks to Apple's developer program. According to F-Secure's report, the number of active mobile threat families and variants on Android has risen to 96 out of 100, from a much smaller 49 out of 74 known threats in the third quarter of 2012. It was then that Phil Schiller, Apple's head of worldwide marketing, decided to tweet (a very rare occasion) a link to the report; alongside "Be safe out there."

The first quarter of this year revealed more bad news. Android is now responsible for 91.3% of all malware activity, this number has risen massively from 79% in 2012. The remaining percentage of threats are related to Symbian, which is an open source platform used in certain Nokia smartphones. Apple's iOS, Microsoft's Windows Phone and Blackberry are free of any malicious activity, making them the safest operating systems out there.

Android users are singled out by scammers, who direct them to job offers, services and prompt them to update certain components, such as Adobe Flash. All of these request installation permissions from the user, who often accepts thinking that it is an actual offer or update. When the malware is granted access onto the user's phone, it installs code to either intercept personal information, such as bank details, or make a lot of expensive phone calls when the mobile device is not in use. F-Secure cited that "SmSilence" is one of the many malicious software packages out there. It was discovered in South Korea, where Samsung is based, and it apparently uses coupons for a coffehouse chain to tempt Android users. "If the so-called coupon app is installed, the malware will check if the phone number has a South Korean country code (+82). If the condition is met, SmSilence will harvest information from the device and forward the details to a server located in Hong Kong." The firm stated.

Android's malware largely targets users who haven't got the latest software version. This can't be fixed by a 'simple update' as it won't be available for older Android devices, giving hackers and malware authors the edge.

People who rarely download apps are also affected, as malware is now sent via email. In the report, Sean Sullivan, a Security Advisor at F-Secure stated: “I’ll put it this way: Until now, I haven’t worried about my mother with her Android because she’s not into apps. Now I have reason to worry because with cases like Stels, Android malware is also being distributed via spam, and my mother checks her email from her phone.” Stels is a trojan which delivers fake US revenue service emails and uses "an Android crimeware kit to steal sensitive information from the device," according to Sullivan.

Users on any mobile platform can receive such emails which direct them to dangerous malware websites. Apple is keeping a look out for such spam, and in the past it has been quick to distribute updates which protect users; frustrating the iOS malware business. Most Android users don't update their devices, so even if Google try to patch the malware up a vast majority of people would still be at risk - giving scammers just what they want.

Android is an open source platform, whilst Apple's iOS is strictly controlled by limiting what apps can do on iDevices and what information they can access.