Why are Android-based devices easier to hack?

According to SophosLabs, more than 8.5 million suspicious Android applications were identified last year

Why are Android-based devices easier to hack?

According to SophosLabs, more than 8.5 million suspicious Android applications were identified last year

Malware targeting Android-based smartphones is creating problems for app developers and consumers. As of March 2016, an estimated 1.3 to 1.4 billion people owned Android-based devices globally, and 352 million people purchased them during the final quarter of 2016.As the popularity of the Google-developed operating system rises, hackers churn out new ways to steal personal or financial data, falsify ad revenue and spy on users.In 2016, SophosLabs processed more than 8.5 million suspicious Android applications, and more than 50 percent were a form of malicious software or adware."Android is far more open than iOS when it comes to installing apps and code," George Avetisov, CEO and co-founder of NYC-based company HYPR, tells us Monday. "Android also lacks some of the security controls that iOS has."Like Apple's iOS store, developers who upload applications to the Google Play Store are required to sign them."This openness of the Play Store is great, as it allows users to install apps not...sanctioned by Google," Avetisov explains. "But at the same time, users...have to trust the app developer and the download source."Cybersecurity experts warn Android owners to avoid downloading third-party apps from unofficial sources."Most risks attributed to Android really only apply to knock-off app stores. Google Play goes through a review process which looks for knockoffs, clones, malware, fake anti-virus software, and other malicious content," Avetisov says.But is the Menlo Park-based technology company doing enough to safeguard Android users from malicious software? "Google...does a lot to protect its devices and deserves credit for it," Avetisov maintains, adding that fingerprint authentication, retinal scan and facial recognition features were used by Android devices before they reached iOS. "In general, hardware improvements are on Android devices at least two years earlier than an equivalent on iOS."

Malware targeting Android-based smartphones is creating problems for app developers and consumers. As of March 2016, an owned Android-based devices globally, and 352 million people purchased them during the final .

As the popularity of the Google-developed operating system rises, to steal personal or financial data, falsify ad revenue and spy on users.

In 2016, SophosLabs processed suspicious Android applications, and more than 50 percent were a form of malicious software or adware.

"Android is far more open than iOS when it comes to installing apps and code," George Avetisov, CEO and co-founder of NYC-based company , tells us Monday. "Android also lacks some of the security controls that iOS has."

Like Apple's iOS store, developers who upload applications to the Google Play Store are required to .

"This openness of the Play Store is great, as it allows users to install apps not...sanctioned by Google," Avetisov explains. "But at the same time, users...have to trust the app developer and the download source."

Cybersecurity experts warn Android owners to avoid downloading third-party apps from unofficial sources.

"Most risks attributed to Android really only apply to knock-off app stores. Google Play goes through a review process which looks for knockoffs, clones, malware, fake anti-virus software, and other malicious content," Avetisov says.

But is the Menlo Park-based technology company doing enough to safeguard Android users from malicious software?

"Google...does a lot to protect its devices and deserves credit for it," Avetisov maintains, adding that fingerprint authentication, retinal scan and were used by Android devices before they reached iOS. "In general, hardware improvements are on Android devices at least two years earlier than an equivalent on iOS."

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