It seems like everyone has a smartphone or tablet computer these days, making them attractive targets for hackers. Which platform is most secure against threats? A recent report from Neohapsis Labs, an independent security think tank, did a deep dive into the question. You can read their initial report here: Android vs iOS vs BlackBerry: Which is the most secure holiday gift?
Their results confirm what many people have believed (see my previous blog on the subject). Apple's iOS software (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), although not perfect, is much more secure than Android. Blackberry is also very secure, although it is targeted at large enterprises with full-time IT departments, so it may be more difficult for individual users to manage. Android lags far behind the others in security, with many examples of apps being released with malicious content that can do things like record keystrokes or steal passwords.
If you're looking for the most secure platform and aren't part of a large enterprise, iOS is still the way to go. But you'll pay a price. Apple tightly controls what apps are available, with each app being released only after it has been analyzed by Apple engineers. Apple also doesn't let you run Flash, which will prevent you from having full access to many websites. Android is a much more flexible platform, with new apps being released every day without any kind of vetting process. If you decide to go with an Android product, be cautious about loading unfamiliar apps, and consider adding anti-virus protection from a well-established company.
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