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0 pointscriley211y ago0 comments

Please look past the hype, malware on phones is a near non-issue.

Need I remind you that it was iOS devices being hijacked by hackers, not Android devices?

Claims like "99% of malware exist on Android" didn't prevent Apple users across the west from having their devices hijacked for ransom.

And no, Apple isn't threatened by the "competition".

I'm just saying: from the perspective of a tech-forward developer who spends a lot of time on their mobile computing device, the locked down reality of iOS, while marginally improving, is still leagues away from a platform that gives developers a deep and powerful ability to create wonderful mobile experiences that transcend the concept of "sandboxed app".

Sure iOS apps have some great modern flat-ui navigation, but how many iOS developers are trying to re-imagine what mobile means, how we use phones? How many iOS developers are capable of adjusting how we use the phone, the screens and service we see the most?

On Android: most developers can. I have a list of a dozen apps that improve on Google's core functions, and I'm sure hundreds more amazing apps exist. On iOS: None can and none are, outside of the small jailbreak scene. Everyone uses stock everything because that's all that's allowed. #innovation

0 comments

ceejayoz11y ago

> Claims like "99% of malware exist on Android" didn't prevent Apple users across the west from having their devices hijacked for ransom.

The feature used for this - remote locking of a stolen/lost phone - is present on both Android and iOS, as are weak passwords. That you're acting like that's an issue with the hardware/software involved is a good indication that you're trolling or fanboying.

criley2OP11y ago

"That you're acting like that's an issue with the hardware/software involved is a good indication that you're trolling or fanboying."

I'm pointing out that just because Tim Cook makes a random hypey statement, it doesn't MEAN anything. I rightfully showed that iOS, without malware, is suffering from hijacks that aren't occurring in Android. Personally, if remote locking is capable of a hijack, I'd call that malware, but that's just semantics.

ceejayoz11y ago

If the attack can be done in both platforms I'm not clear on your point. By your logic Gmail, HN, and essentially every other site are infested with "malware" because some people get hacked with vulnerable passwords.

Meanwhile, in Android:

http://arstechnica.com/security/2014/05/your-android-phone-v...

> The malware prevents users from accessing the home screen of their phones, making it impossible to use most other apps installed on the phone.

Do that on an unjailbroken iPhone and we'll talk.

wrboyce11y ago

> Personally, if remote locking is capable of a hijack, I'd call that malware, but that's just semantics.

This seems a curious view for a self-professed "tech-forward developer". Your logic can extend to a lot of things. My credit card... Is that malware in my bank if someone guesses my PIN?

FeeTinesAMady11y ago

criley2, your comments have started showing up as dead. I guess you can't criticize Apple so vehemently on HN.

1 more reply

BugBrother11y ago

I reluctantly don't jailbreak my iPhone/iPad despite that I of course want shell, emacs, Perl, etc on all my devices.

This is because I want to feel safe with my i.* things while using my bank applications and buying stuff from iTunes.

MichaelGG11y ago

If the Jailbreak exists, doesn't that mean there is an unpatched security hole in your version of iOS?

BugBrother11y ago

Not really.

I'm no expert (as I wrote), but afaik the app install process (iTunes style) is sidetracked by running a program to install an App on your trusted computer.

Then you run the app.

I only use iTunes when I update the music on the iPhone, not programs. I assume most people do the same these days. (iOS 5?)

(But certainly, there is a possibility here -- maybe iTunes might tell the iDevice to update an application without informing the user? I can't say, Objective C was too much like Java for me. :-) I don't keep music on the iPad, so that is no problem.)

Karunamon11y ago

I'm unclear how jailbreaking impacts your device security in a meaningful fashion. All it does is give you the possibility to install something that could cause you trouble, but absolutely nothing on its own.

Most of the jailbreak apps are open source anyways. (MobileSubstrate and the majority of things that use them, for instance)

Pointing at any kind of positive to the locked-down-ness that Apple strives for, regardless of its truth, personally makes me feel very wrong as someone who values openness.

Edit: I love how asking a question is grounds for being downvoted into the negatives now.

ceejayoz11y ago

It removes the sandboxing that would prevent a seemingly innocuous app from silently accessing stuff it shouldn't.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointscriley211y ago0 comments

Please look past the hype, malware on phones is a near non-issue.

Need I remind you that it was iOS devices being hijacked by hackers, not Android devices?

Claims like "99% of malware exist on Android" didn't prevent Apple users across the west from having their devices hijacked for ransom.

And no, Apple isn't threatened by the "competition".

0 comments

ceejayoz11y ago

> Claims like "99% of malware exist on Android" didn't prevent Apple users across the west from having their devices hijacked for ransom.

criley2OP11y ago

"That you're acting like that's an issue with the hardware/software involved is a good indication that you're trolling or fanboying."

ceejayoz11y ago

Meanwhile, in Android:

http://arstechnica.com/security/2014/05/your-android-phone-v...

> The malware prevents users from accessing the home screen of their phones, making it impossible to use most other apps installed on the phone.

Do that on an unjailbroken iPhone and we'll talk.

wrboyce11y ago

> Personally, if remote locking is capable of a hijack, I'd call that malware, but that's just semantics.

This seems a curious view for a self-professed "tech-forward developer". Your logic can extend to a lot of things. My credit card... Is that malware in my bank if someone guesses my PIN?

FeeTinesAMady11y ago

criley2, your comments have started showing up as dead. I guess you can't criticize Apple so vehemently on HN.

1 more reply

BugBrother11y ago

I reluctantly don't jailbreak my iPhone/iPad despite that I of course want shell, emacs, Perl, etc on all my devices.

This is because I want to feel safe with my i.* things while using my bank applications and buying stuff from iTunes.

MichaelGG11y ago

If the Jailbreak exists, doesn't that mean there is an unpatched security hole in your version of iOS?

BugBrother11y ago

Not really.

I'm no expert (as I wrote), but afaik the app install process (iTunes style) is sidetracked by running a program to install an App on your trusted computer.

Then you run the app.

I only use iTunes when I update the music on the iPhone, not programs. I assume most people do the same these days. (iOS 5?)

Karunamon11y ago

Most of the jailbreak apps are open source anyways. (MobileSubstrate and the majority of things that use them, for instance)

Pointing at any kind of positive to the locked-down-ness that Apple strives for, regardless of its truth, personally makes me feel very wrong as someone who values openness.

Edit: I love how asking a question is grounds for being downvoted into the negatives now.

ceejayoz11y ago

It removes the sandboxing that would prevent a seemingly innocuous app from silently accessing stuff it shouldn't.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse