Apple's iOS unaffected by malware as Android exploits surge 76%
A new study has found that iOS remained untouched by malware during the second quarter, while Android faced 76 percent more threats than in the first quarter, making it the most targeted mobile platform.
McAfee detailed the information in its Second Quarter 2011 Threats Report, noting that the "threat landscape of 2011 is undergoing a year of chaos and change," as noted by MacNN.
Google's Android platform jumped from being the third-most targeted platform for mobile malware in the first quarter to taking the number one spot with 44 cases of malware. Java ME, the second-most targeted platform, had one-third the volume with just 14 exploits.
"This increase in threats to such a popular platform should make us evaluate our behavior on mobile devices and the security industry?s preparedness to combat this growth," the report said.
Several security firms warned early this month that Android has become increasingly susceptible to attack, while at the same time noting that Apple's platform is relatively more secure than its rival. In June, Symantec issued a report that found iOS to have "full protection" against malware attacks, while Android was characterized as having "little protection."
McAfee did note that Apple's Mac platform has faced a threat from a fake anti-virus malware called MacDefender. The firm speculated that such attacks would eventually make their way to the iPhone and iPad, calling it a "case of "when" rather than "if.""
In addition to Apple's iOS, HP's webOS was the only other mobile platform to avoid any attacks, though the platform's inability to attract user interest may explain the lack of malware.
Intel surprised Wall Street by purchasing McAfee last year for $7.68 billion. The world's largest chipmaker has expressed an interest in implementing security features at the chip level with the help of McAfee.
McAfee detailed the information in its Second Quarter 2011 Threats Report, noting that the "threat landscape of 2011 is undergoing a year of chaos and change," as noted by MacNN.
Google's Android platform jumped from being the third-most targeted platform for mobile malware in the first quarter to taking the number one spot with 44 cases of malware. Java ME, the second-most targeted platform, had one-third the volume with just 14 exploits.
"This increase in threats to such a popular platform should make us evaluate our behavior on mobile devices and the security industry?s preparedness to combat this growth," the report said.
Several security firms warned early this month that Android has become increasingly susceptible to attack, while at the same time noting that Apple's platform is relatively more secure than its rival. In June, Symantec issued a report that found iOS to have "full protection" against malware attacks, while Android was characterized as having "little protection."
McAfee did note that Apple's Mac platform has faced a threat from a fake anti-virus malware called MacDefender. The firm speculated that such attacks would eventually make their way to the iPhone and iPad, calling it a "case of "when" rather than "if.""
In addition to Apple's iOS, HP's webOS was the only other mobile platform to avoid any attacks, though the platform's inability to attract user interest may explain the lack of malware.
Intel surprised Wall Street by purchasing McAfee last year for $7.68 billion. The world's largest chipmaker has expressed an interest in implementing security features at the chip level with the help of McAfee.
Comments
In reality, secured app store, aka "walled-gardens" FTW.
I wonder if apple haters will try and claim this is still just security through obscurity?
In reality, secured app store, aka "walled-gardens" FTW.
LOL I was coming to make a similar comment.
I wonder if apple haters will try and claim this is still just security through obscurity?
In reality, secured app store, aka "walled-gardens" FTW.
Well this isn't really about Apple haters, it's about Android haters. How else would you describe people that do not use Android, yet spend a lot of time trying to convince others how insecure Android is? Do you really believe that anyone on Android fan sites spends time discussing how much iOS sucks? Newsflash: not everyone needs constant reassurance.
A new study has... The firm speculated that such attacks would eventually make their way to the iPhone and iPad, calling it a "case of "when" rather than "if.""
In addition to Apple's iOS, HP's webOS was the only other mobile platform to avoid any attacks...[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ][/c]
In my long experience as a Mac user, it's been a case of when, not if since about 1987.
LOL I was coming to make a similar comment.
Me to!
Well this isn't really about Apple haters, it's about Android haters. How else would you describe people that do not use Android, yet spend a lot of time trying to convince others how insecure Android is? Do you really believe that anyone on Android fan sites spends time discussing how much iOS sucks? Newsflash: not everyone needs constant reassurance.
I and I'm sure many others here do not give one iota about Android. You obviously have an interest in iOS, for good or ill.
Well this isn't really about Apple haters, it's about Android haters. How else would you describe people that do not use Android, yet spend a lot of time trying to convince others how insecure Android is? Do you really believe that anyone on Android fan sites spends time discussing how much iOS sucks? Newsflash: not everyone needs constant reassurance.
It's not our fault Android is sh1tty.
With a little bit of intelligence on where you source your apps, the kind of apps you install and checking out app permissions, you can easily avoid any trouble.
Some many need someone else to wipe their bottoms and that's cool, I'm big enough, clever enough and ugly enough
It's not our fault Android is sh1tty.
I'm sorry that the meaning of my comment went so much above your head. Let's try again: Why do you need to discuss something that is sh1tty?
Been using Android since around 2007, not one instance of Malware on any of my devices.
With a little bit of intelligence on where you source your apps, the kind of apps you install and checking out app permissions, you can easily avoid any trouble.
Some many need someone else to wipe their bottoms and that's cool, I'm big enough, clever enough and ugly enough
That's great.
I don't take security on any of my OS X (and iOS) devices for granted and am careful about where I go on the web. Still, this cannot alone account for my complete freedom over 24 years from problems of viruses and malware.
All the best.
Though I do wonder what the point is, i mean what do you get from malware on the 7 galaxy tabs sold? The names of the pirated apps they bootlegged?
Wow, all the androids are out in force all ready. Shouldn't you be busy securing your phones from the threat?
Though I do wonder what the point is, i mean what do you get from malware on the 7 galaxy tabs sold? The names of the pirated apps they bootlegged?
You're funny :-) You should post more often ;-)
I'm sorry that the meaning of my comment went so much above your head. Let's try again: Why do you need to discuss something that is sh1tty?
Is there an official rule somewhere that sh1tty things shan't be discussed? It's important to spread the word, so that people are aware of just how sh1tty Android is.
What if they didn't know, DrDoppio? What if they didn't know...
Think of the children for Christ's sake.
Do you really believe that anyone on Android fan sites spends time discussing how much iOS sucks?
Yes I do.
Is there an official rule somewhere that sh1tty things shan't be discussed? It's important to spread the word, so that people are aware of just how sh1tty Android is.
What if they didn't know, DrDoppio? What if they didn't know...
Think of the children for Christ's sake.
Hehe, true dat. We should get more fandroids to read AI. How else is the word going to get out.
A new study has found that iOS remained untouched by malware during the second quarter, while Android faced 76 percent more threats than in the first quarter, making it the most targeted mobile platform.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Both for the App store auditing and the secure OSs.
Did I say anything negative about the others, of course not.
That's what you get from Android Malwareplace.
Droid does! It does allow malware.
I'm sorry that the meaning of my comment went so much above your head. Let's try again: Why do you need to discuss something that is sh1tty?
Because it's fun! It's like going to a good comedy movie!