Topic of the week: Is Google good care of security ... - Spider's Web

Android will verify all installed applications – is undoubtedly important news for all users of mobile devices from Google. Only if such measures are enough? Is the giant of Mountain View should not take more radical action and finally clean up the Google Play

Damian Jaroszewski: Android is the clear leader in the mobile market, but it has two serious problems. The first is fragmentation, delaying the updates and quick abandonment by the manufacturers of smartphones weaker. The second is the safety of openness. In large part this is due to just the fact that it is the most popular and therefore attacking it just pays off.

The previous solution has not worked, and I hope that now the situation is better. Although the truth is that people who have viruses on their smartphones, as it were themselves request it by installing apps from stores or suspicious APK files. In the Google Play store is so small percentage of malicious programs that really need to be damn unlucky to hit something. Unfortunately, the openness of the system is its great advantage, while the biggest drawback. Users combine as possible, to save funny 3 z? on the application and it is the saddest thing in all this.

I’m glad that Android will soon scan all applications installed on the device, because it is a step toward greater security. At the same time, I am afraid that it will cause even more piracy on a green job, because those who are now afraid to install appki from untrusted sources can now dare to do so. And it will be a big problem for Google. And somehow I would feel sorry for the person disappeared from the account a thousand or even two thousand zlotys, because “spared” a few pounds by downloading the application from torrents or hamster.

Google must also begin to scan your shop, to verify the applications and not only because that was safer, but because to not repeat the situation with appk?, which cost 3 z?, had increased security, and was a big scam and the only thing she did, it changed the image on the phone screen …

Peter Grabiec: This is a very good move, Google, but also a drop in the ocean. Android is exposed to attacks from several sides: the pirate appy found on warez sites, free applications in the. Apk, finally, positions in Google Play, which are aimed at your private data, including for example a password to bank online.

Far more dangerous, however, gaps in the Android, which is rarely patched producers – if it is, for phones from the top shelf and it’s no brand. Checking application by Google solves one problem and still no idea what to do with the other.

In my opinion, Google should, however, take some developers “by the throat”. Apple and Microsoft’s approach by verifying the application in the official repository is correct and the same should giant from Mountain View to do at home. Of course, the installation of the. Apk should remain as an option for people who would like to upload soft from third party sources … at your own risk.

I know that the case of malware on Google Play is a really individual situations, but they do happen. Automatic Bouncer can not cope with it to the end, and said by Damian paid app changing the graphics is the key evidence that the algorithms are not able to replace the man.

Mateusz Nowak: Google traffic estimate as the best of the currently possible. The best because it is relatively fast and easy to implement. Scan the application by the system allow the user to feel safer, increase the comfort, finished with myths reaching for Android and will take care of the data on phones of millions of people around the world.

Damian and Peter mentioned the important issues that no one wants raise. Fragmentation, lack of support for the annual phones are difficult subjects at Google MUST meet them.

Apple can afford to call the most perfect iOS operating system. However, it will always be just marketing gibberish, which do not need to explain. Google is in the hands of a much larger asset – has the most popular mobile system in the world.

is This dispute plus Android, but with him on Google a huge responsibility. It is the most popular system is safe, it can weigh on the company’s image.

Google has small steps to deal with the stench, which stretches for Android.

The next step should be to introduce moderation into Google Play. I suspect that this will be done on a clear separation of applications checked and approved by Google, and those of dubious quality and of unknown origin.

This format does not have hit on some principles of an open ecosystem of Android, on the other hand, allow users to the use of the benefits of Google Play without fear that it will be on the application that steals data, passwords, contacts, etc.

David Kosinski: As I could read in my text, change the Google approach to safety I really liked. Android system is so leaky that you have to enjoy every attempt to patch it. But I can not help feeling that Google measures may be ineffective, because he is trying to cure a disease, rather than prevent it.

Google has to deal with two problems causes Android to safety. The first of these is mentioned by Piotr software certification policy. The Mountain View company must finally start checking applications that go to her store. And not just for the presence of malicious code, but also compliance with the description. A few days ago we heard about the costing $ 4 antywirusie that the antivirus had so much in common as an elephant with bacon. His action was limited to changing the appearance of a sprite. Despite this, over 10 000 people decided to buy the program and because of the quick action recommended it to friends. I ask: Where were the parents? Where was Google? Why did not anyone find out what this program actually does?

The second reason is the huge problem of Android fragmentation of the system. Google needs to get hardware makers to quickly update their smartphones and tablets to new versions of Android. Otherwise, any new safety introduced by Google will not mean almost nothing, because it will be able to access only a fraction of users. Although the new edition Verify Apps will work even on smartphones with Android 2.3, but this is an exceptional situation and I would not expect similar updates in the future.

Photo they cell phone with a security application and a broken padlock come from Shutterstock.

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