Comparison of iOS and Android Security Features The following table summarizes some of the important differences between iOS and Android devices mostly with respect to the available security features. Table 1 – Differences between iOS and Android Feature iOS Android Comment Device Single hardware Multi-vendors and iOS is capable of hardware optimized for custom network providing a manufacturer software carriers of optimization and more agile update model since there is one single hardware and software manufacturer. Trusted boot Trusted boot chain in Vendor-specific iOS with a single all devices from low security features manufacturer for level Boot ROM up to with different levels hardware and app/firmware level of assurance software provides a depending on the higher level of manufacturer and assurance on versions average. Android in most cases can be rooted without many issues. Roll back to System software Users are allowed to previous authorization downgrade most of versions prevents users to Android devices downgrade their without many issues systems OS Single version for all Multi custom OEM iOS is capable of customization device models and versions reacting much faster configurations. to bugs since there is no need for porting the fixes to multiple vendors/carriers/etc. App Apple signs all apps Google distributes Android users have a distribution and users cannot apps but users are higher risk since they and install from free to install apps may inadvertently installation alternative sources, signed and install malicious apps unless the device is distributed even by from any source jailbroken e-mail directly by the developers Jailbreak and Users can in some Users in most of the rooting cases jailbreak their cases can root their devices to run devices to have custom software not admin rights distributed through the Apple Store and
Comparison of iOS and Android Security Features The following table summarizes some of the important differences between iOS and Android devices mostly with respect to the available security features. Table 1 – Differences between iOS and Android Feature iOS Android Comment Device hardware manufacturer Single hardware optimized for software Multi-vendors and custom network carriers iOS is capable of providing a of optimization and more agile update model since there is one single hardware and software manufacturer. Trusted boot Trusted boot chain in all devices from low level Boot ROM up to app/firmware level Vendor-specific security features with different levels of assurance depending on the manufacturer and versions iOS with a single manufacturer for hardware and software provides a higher level of assurance on average. Android in most cases can be rooted without many issues. Roll back to previous versions System software authorization prevents users to downgrade their systems Users are allowed to downgrade most of Android devices without many issues OS customization Single version for all device models and configurations. Multi custom OEM versions iOS is capable of reacting much faster to bugs since there is no need for porting the fixes to multiple vendors/carriers/etc. App distribution and installation Apple signs all apps and users cannot install from alternative sources, unless the device is jailbroken Google distributes apps but users are free to install apps signed and distributed even by e-mail directly by the developers Android users have a higher risk since they may inadvertently install malicious apps from any source Jailbreak and rooting Users can in some cases jailbreak their devices to run custom software not distributed through the Apple Store and Users in most of the cases can root their devices to have admin rights
2517321_EN_impact_assessment_part2_v5.docx