SUNNYVALE, Calif. — In the era of the personal computer, Apple’s machines were often less vulnerable to security threats than the alternatives. That may also be the case with the rise of smartphones.
Google’s Android operating system for mobile devices has had an almost sixfold increase in threats such as spyware and viruses since July, according to Juniper Networks. That may increase the perception that Apple devices are safer than smartphones and tablets that run on Android, Juniper said.
Most of the growth in Android threats comes from applications, or apps, available from third-party sites not associated with Google’s Android Market, according to data Juniper collected as of Thursday. Apple doesn’t face the same issue because iPhone and iPad owners can only get applications from Apple’s App Store, which is controlled by the company.
“The open nature of the Android system makes it more susceptible to attack,” said Dan Hoffman, who leads a team tracking mobile threats for Jupiter.
Making malware is easier with Android software because the applications aren’t checked, the source code is open and the apps can be sold on external sites, Hoffman said.
