I realize this is going to enrage or anger many here, but the situation regarding most mobile phones, both Android and iOS is becoming increasingly dangerous:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/mobile-malware-evolves-adware-now-breaks-and-roots-your-phone/?tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61
The problem is simply that now malicious apps and sites are, increasingly, able to download and install rooting malware even without specific consent, in some cases even 'drive bye' adware when you just visit a site. protection is difficult because:
1. Both iOS and Android have far less protection than our desktop operating systems.
2. Phones have less memory and lower power cpus, so there tends to be far less complex and effective anti-malware available for these devices and most of you are less likely to
have such software installed.
3. Rooting of phones is becoming much easier and effective with the latest malware and once rooted, it's almost impossible to remove especially since there is no effective way to
'boot' into a phone independently of it's existing kernel...while this can easily be done on a real computer.
4. Once 'root infected' there is little evidence even the best anti-malware can clean most phones.
I no longer treat my phone like a computer:
1. My phone browser no longer maintains any passwords (There is no browser I know of that has good enough security to be trusted to maintain passwords)
2. Living in a Windows/Android world I've been using LastPass to handle passwords/log on and I do NOT have it installed on my phone.
3. I know this means I don't/can't basically use my phone to log into my banking and other sites... that's exactly what I want.
I simply do that stuff at home on a real computer where I can trust layers of real protection and universal use of ad blocking under a real OS to provide security.
I fully realize this attitude may come across as old fart paranoia. YMMV.
For reference I'm running Lollipop 5.1 on a 1st Generation Moto X and do have Webroot Security Anywhere installed.
http://www.zdnet.com/article/mobile-malware-evolves-adware-now-breaks-and-roots-your-phone/?tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61
The problem is simply that now malicious apps and sites are, increasingly, able to download and install rooting malware even without specific consent, in some cases even 'drive bye' adware when you just visit a site. protection is difficult because:
1. Both iOS and Android have far less protection than our desktop operating systems.
2. Phones have less memory and lower power cpus, so there tends to be far less complex and effective anti-malware available for these devices and most of you are less likely to
have such software installed.
3. Rooting of phones is becoming much easier and effective with the latest malware and once rooted, it's almost impossible to remove especially since there is no effective way to
'boot' into a phone independently of it's existing kernel...while this can easily be done on a real computer.
4. Once 'root infected' there is little evidence even the best anti-malware can clean most phones.
I no longer treat my phone like a computer:
1. My phone browser no longer maintains any passwords (There is no browser I know of that has good enough security to be trusted to maintain passwords)
2. Living in a Windows/Android world I've been using LastPass to handle passwords/log on and I do NOT have it installed on my phone.
3. I know this means I don't/can't basically use my phone to log into my banking and other sites... that's exactly what I want.
I simply do that stuff at home on a real computer where I can trust layers of real protection and universal use of ad blocking under a real OS to provide security.
I fully realize this attitude may come across as old fart paranoia. YMMV.
For reference I'm running Lollipop 5.1 on a 1st Generation Moto X and do have Webroot Security Anywhere installed.
