subject: To Be or Not To Be Free [print this page] To Be or Not To Be Free To Be or Not To Be Free
The security problem at the mobile market is becoming a serious and burning issue. And what's sad both Apple and Google's platforms suffer from it and smartphone users do not feel protected anymore. At last! It seems that smartphone safely is becoming a number one priority for a range of users. Unfortunately, so far they perceive it more like the thing the rival platform definitely hasn't while their own phone enjoys a full scale protection from different types of malware threats and suspicious software.
According to the report published by security firm SMobile Systems, which is a renowned expert in mobile market security about 20 percent of the 48,000 apps in the Android marketplace allow a third-party application access to sensitive or private information. What's more, some apps are able to make calls and send text messages without notifying their owners. Besides, the company warns that the iPhone app market is no better and no one can guarantee (not even Apple itself) that an app downloaded from the App Store does not contain malicious ware. Taking into consideration that SMobile Systems is an interested party as it provides security solutions to the smartphone market, it's quite possible that the firm may be a bit biased in its judgments but the whole idea still holds true.
Many users, especially iPhone owners, state that the security issue is closely connected with the overall openness of the Android platform and are sure that locked platforms such as their own one are deprived of such risks. An open platform referring to the Android environment means that Android developers all over the world can get access to code and review it to make it even better. The whole problem with personal information gathering is more connected with the fact that both Apple and Google are launching advertising campaigns and the more they know about their owners' habits and hobbies, the more relevant their advertising can be and the less it will disturb handset-holders as the latter will be likely to get interested.
Imagine, a person has downloaded an app dealing with pregnancy issues. The very time he or she has pressed the download button, the info about it is submitted and the user receives a scope of adds focusing on corresponding medical services, special fitness lessons for pregnant women and a slew of ads from stores vending staff for newborns. If you spend the biggest part of the time at the different virtual exhibitions marveling at the technology of XIV-th century ship building, you are sure to be offered the newest book on the topic as soon as it appears in the store. A promotion from the restaurant you are passing by brings a splendid idea to take a mug of beer and a bite of pizza. And don't be surprised it's not a lucky coincidence, your smartphone had transmitted your coordinates using the in-built GPS, before you even approached the place.
All that can be extremely funny and extremely useful, the only concern is that they can learn too much of our personal life and interests. But God help us, those virtual They already know a lot. Almost all our movements are monitored by cams in shops and streets, all our spendings and revenues are tracked following the cash flows from and to our credit cards, social networks present a nice way to assess our friends and acquaintances. So, nowadays only some African native living in the bush in the hut his grandparents built can still boast of being free. But he or she hardly thinks of it as an ultimate value.
