Which mobile operating system is more secure ? Android or iOS ?

1. Class : 15/FA_CSCI_6638_81
Operating Systems Final Project
Professor Dr. Levine Gertrude
levine@fdu.edu
Team Members :
➔ Phanindra Veera (1691979)
veera1@student.fdu.edu
➔ Srilokh Moram ()
srilokh.morams@gmail.com

3. Table of contents
1. Introduction to mobile operating systems [4-7]
2. Software Architectures of Android and iOS [8-10]
3. Security Threats and Vulnerabilities [11-12]
4. Possible Solutions [13-14]
5. Conclusion [15]

4. Introduction to mobile operating systems
1. A mobile operating system is an operating system for mobile
devices such as Smartphones, Tablets and PDA’s.
1. A mobile OS combines the power of basic desktop functionality
facility along with cellular communications capability.
1. Examples :
Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Symbian etc..;

5. Most Popular Operating System
The most popular OS among Android and iOS can be easily decided
based on the factors:
1. Demographics (Market Share)
2. Number of Applications
3. Usage Statistics
Android or iOS ?
About 80% smartphones on earth runs on Android and It is obvious that
Android dominates iOS in all the above factors and this clearly states that
Android is the most popular mobile operating system in use.

6. Google’s Android Operating System
1. Based on Linux Kernel and completely
open source.
2. Founded by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner,
Nick Sears, Chris White in October
2003. Later Google bought Android inc.
for at least $50 million, in July 2005.
3. 11 Android OS versions were released
so far. and recent one is called as
“Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).”
Eric Schmidt, Andy Rubin and Hugo Barra at a 2012 press conference
announcing Google's Nexus 7 tablet.
Image Source : Wikipedia.org

7. Apple’s iOS
1. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs and
Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on
April 1, 1976.
2. iOS (iPhone OS), created and developed
by Apple Inc.
3. iOS serves as the mobile operating
system for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and
iPod Touch.
4. 9 iOS versions were released so far, the
recent one being called as “iOS 9”
Steve Jobs introducing iPhone during 2007 keynote
Image Source : Genius.com

9. Now let’s know about the software
architecture of both Android and
iOS.

12. Security Threats and Vulnerabilities
1. In July 2013, DHS reported that almost 79% of the malware threats affect
Android OS and only 19% affects the remaining OS such as iOS, Windows
Phone etc..;
2. Almost 45% of Android users worldwide are still using earlier versions of
Android OS that contains vulnerabilities which were fixed in later versions.
3. SMS Trojans, Fake App Stores, Third party app stores are a few other
threats that possess considerable risk to both user’s security and privacy.

13. Security Threats and Vulnerabilities
1. Rooting (Android) and Jailbreaking (iOS) are the processes that removes
software restrictions and gives complete privileges on device’s software
(Root/Admin access).
1. By performing these processes, users can also install applications/software
that the manufacturer wouldn't normally allow you to do so.
1. But implicitly, this may result in compromising user’s security credentials
and may leave the device vulnerable to more imminent threats, irrespective
of the operating system. So basically it’s like a two edged sword.

14. Possible Solutions
1. Install software updates regularly as soon as they are rolled out.
2. Stay away from 3rd party app stores.
3. Forget about rooting/jailbreaking.
4. In case of Android, try to avoid custom Android ROMs and the
devices that use custom ROMs other than Stock ROM (default
Android OS).
5. Use a reputed Anti-Malware software on the device.

15. So, who’s the winner? Android or iOS ?
1. When comes to the battle between Android and iOS in terms of security, Apple
iOS is the perfect winner. The reasons are :
2. According to various survey reports, as of now less than 25% iOS devices are
imminent to malware threats.
3. iOS devices always get timely security updates, which isn’t the case of Android
devices. Because Android has no centralized update system.
4. iOS isn’t open source as Android.
5. Privacy Control and Permissions are better on iOS when compared to Android.

16. Conclusion
So from the factors discussed in the last slide, It is
made clear that iOS is the most secure mobile
operating system than Android OS.

17. References
1) http://developer.android.com
2) http://developer.apple.com
3) http://www.howtogeek.com/224096/why-iphones-are-more-secure-than-android-
phones/
4) http://www.idc.com/prodserv/smartphone-os-market-share.jsp
5) http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/tip/Android-versus-iOS-security-
Features-policies-and-controls
6) https://www.veracode.com/resources/android-ios-security

18. Any Queries
Thank you….!