Whether you are a fan of Android or iOS: we can agree on one thing. Apple’s operating system is a lot more secure than Google’s. These are seven reasons why.
This is why iOS is more secure than Android
One person appreciates all the possibilities and functions of Android, while the other swears by the convenience of iOS. However, it is clear that this system has arranged its security better than the Google competitor. This is why iOS is more secure than Android.
1. Closed vs open
Android is an open source system. This means that the source code is public and can be viewed by everyone. iOS, on the other hand, is a closed system: only Apple knows exactly how it works. With Android, anyone can look for possible vulnerabilities and find out exactly how the system works.
Apple’s system has just been closed, so that one retains total control and can make the rules themselves. App developers must therefore adhere to certain conditions, otherwise their applications will not end up in the App Store.
2. iOS users update faster
Although Android 9.0 (Pie) has been out for a while now, this version is running so few Android smartphones that it is not yet included in the distribution figures. The vast majority of telephones have an older version.
Older system updates often contain more bugs, vulnerabilities and errors, which is detrimental to security. These are quite disappointing figures when you compare them to iOS 12, which quickly ran on more than half of all iPhones and iPads.
→ Also check out our extensive iOS 12 video review:
3. Less market share is better?
When it comes to market share, Android reigns supreme with a percentage of 85 percent. Apple’s iOS is taking off with 15 percent, making it the second largest mobile operating system in the world.
While this is fantastic for Google, Android is also an attractive prey for hackers because of this market share. After all, they have more ‘customers’ than on iOS. It is therefore much more lucrative for hackers to create malicious software for the Google system.
Suppose two percent of Android owners install malware that keeps track of private data such as payment information and credit card data in the background, and 20 percent of iOS users fall for it. The absolute ‘gain’ for hackers is much greater with Android than with iOS thanks to more users.
4. Better security
The security of Android and iOS devices differs as night and day. Apple uses the so-called ‘sandboxmethod, where apps have limited access to the rest of the system. For example, if an application contains malware, it cannot infect the rest of the system.
You can best compare this with a fire in a building. If a ‘fire’ breaks out in iOS (read: an app contains a virus), the rest of the phone will not be infected because Apple uses ‘fire doors’. This way the fire does not spread to other ‘rooms’ (other apps).
When a developer creates an app for iOS, he must submit with the application what information his application needs. For example, Instagram will not work without access to the camera. Apple checks this request and thus ensures that apps cannot request unnecessary user data.
This is (in theory) possible with Android phones, because this system is much more flexible and open in terms of security. This allows apps to work better with each other, so that they learn more quickly from your user preferences, for example. However, this is a disadvantage from a security point of view.
Face ID is superior
In recent years, almost every high-end phone has some form of face unlock. Face ID, which includes the iPhone XS (Max) and iPhone XR, is by far the most secure of them all. This is due to the advanced TrueDepth camera that Apple uses.
This sensor makes a 3D scan of your face and recognizes 30,000 unique features. This way your iPhone unlocks even if you have a hat or cap on. The Galaxy S9, an iPhone competitor, also has a form of face unlock: Intelligent Scan. It is less refined than Face ID. The Samsung scanner scans the profile of your iris and face, but is less accurate. The chance that the scanner will fail and unlock the phone incorrectly is therefore higher.
Also interesting: Prediction: Apple will keep the lead with Face ID until 2019
6. More frequent updates
For iPad and iPhone users, it is normal to get about three to four major iOS updates. This while many Android owners are allowed to rub their hands when they receive two years of security patches.
Every year, Apple releases a major iOS version update at the same time as the new iPhones, such as iOS 12. Even the iPhone 5S, from 2013, has been updated. In addition, the Cupertino company rolls out smaller updates every few weeks that are designed to fix bugs. Sometimes features are also added, such as new emoji in iOS 12.1.
That way, iPads and iPhones are regularly updated, which greatly reduces the chance of errors in the system. Unlike Google, Apple has total control over iOS. The search engine giant has to work with multiple partners and tweak the software for hundreds of unique devices. As a result, the average Android smartphone receives fewer version and security updates. Read on about it update policy of Android on our sister site Android Planet.
7. Download apps
The App Store is the place to be for downloading apps. Apple monitors all programs in this store and is therefore responsible for safety. This means you cannot just download apps from other sources, as is possible with Google.
Android phones can very easily download apk files outside of the official Play Store. This gives you as a user more supply, but you also run an increased risk. After all, Google has no view of apps outside its own store and can therefore not guarantee security. Apple does not have this problem.
Of course, it is possible to download unofficial programs on iOS, but it requires some effort, such as jailbreaking your iPhone. That is against the guidelines of Apple and you are thereby wasting your right to warranty.
More articles from our monthly theme on security
- Apple gives hackers special iPhones to check iOS security (23-12-2020)
- Tip: recognize and prevent WhatsApp fraud in 6 steps (12-10-2020)
- Secure your Twitter account with two-factor authentication: that’s how it works (7/26/2020)
- Tip: Make your Mac’s hard drive (Book) more secure with FileVault (7/19/2020)
- Make your Apple device more secure with two-factor authentication – that’s how it works (6/27/2020)