Android malware up 76 percent, nonexistent on iOS

[xune]

Android malware up 76 percent, nonexistent on iOS
By: Joe Aimonetti AUGUST 24, 2011 3:03 PM PDT

A recent study has found that Apple's iOS is still untouched by malware, whereas users who choose Google's Android platform are 76 percent more likely to encounter funky software, making it the most susceptible mobile operating system in the world.



McAfee's Threat Report for the second quarter of 2011 outlined the issues facing mobile OS developers. It seems as though Apple's strict stance on iOS apps and games has thus far thwarted any attempts at malware.

The only attacks on iPhones were only able to harm jailbroken phones. (Remember the Rick Astley exploit?) And only a small number of those.

Google, on the other hand, has a significantly less strict approach to getting apps and games on its Android platform. That has caused a significant number of malicious software titles to be downloaded via Google's own Android Marketplace as well as separately by users.

With 44 cases of malware in the second quarter alone, Android is nearly four times as targeted as the second-place platform, Java ME, with 14 cases.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-20096832-233/android-malware-up-76-percent-nonexistent-on-ios/?tag=rtcol

[Randallflagg]

Thats what of the downfalls off Googles approach to the mobile OS. I prefer Apple's way of doing thing, and don't feel like I am missing out on anything in the Android or any other smart phone world.

[WillysJeepMan]

I feel like I'm missing out on some of the things that the iOS ecosystem prevents me from doing, but in the end, I believe that the trade-off is worth it.

[Radiation]

I feel like I'm missing out on some of the things that the iOS ecosystem prevents me from doing,

Didn't you read the pie chart? iOS prevents you from getting viruses.