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"Android is a Cesspool" quotes

zuben el genub

zuben el genub

Extreme Android User
Android is a malware cesspool -- and users don't care | Mobile Technology - InfoWorld

Another article dissing Android. How about some good rebuttals? Please?

Where the article is right is about "baby" users who expect everything to be done for them. This is a big point against Apple. By making things so locked down that people don't have to think - people no longer want to think about anything.

Some of the "what should I get" articles are in this category. The phones are available and it seems some prospective buyers are just too lazy to research what each phone might do best. Now if they have read up on the phone and post a more technical-type question like supposed battery life, users opinions on differences in screen, speed, operation - those would be good questions. Shows buyer is thinking and wants info. Not someone making up the buyer's mind for them.

This is the big complaint about Windows - stupid users. Some was MS fault. They used to install OS with everything turned on and you would have to go secure IE on your own.
But today - if there's money to be gotten illegally, someone will do it.
Just because you are using Apple's products doesn't mean you will always be safe and can ignore all precautions.

Someone PLEASE find some good links proAndroid.

I like Android - and would like to be able to keep up with precautions. Some of the stuff is written by AV sellers - I see the company I use makes a mobile app, which I might buy.

I don't like all the extra crap in the new Windows, I'm not installing Natty Narwhal until it's stable and you can get rid of Unity. I simply don't want 3D video effects on a computer. I like the written word and want to read it with no distractions. I took 2 XP boxes running special software offline. I don't plan on upgrading either box as the software has gone as far as I need it. So security is no problem.
I wouldn't want 3D on a phone, either. I can't even SEE the difference in HD vs Analog. (Partially because I'm listening more than watching - I usually read while "watching" TV)
I don't want the "Cloud" either if I can avoid it. I simply don't see the need to share personal stuff.
 
Here is my take on the article.

*yawn*

Mind you, I am not denying that security challenges exist. As someone who has had credit card information compromised multiple times, it's a reality of the information age. The problem is the inflammatory tone of the article which is written to incite Android fanboys and placate the zealots of other platforms. The purpose of these types of articles is only ... ONLY ... to get clicks and sell advertising. If they were really concerned with security, instead of crying wolf, they would identify the wolf and tell you where he lives. (Where's the list of these apps that are filling the Market with malware?)
 
I happen to care about fair reporting. No one thing is either that bad or that good.
Doesn't anyone have a list of articles (not posts) that are positive?

If there isn't a link to positive articles somewhere - all these negative pieces are doing convincing those that don't want or know how to think that Android is no good.

BTW - they are coming from an aggregator called Daily Rotation. You can pick your headlines. The one I usually see is the default.

And I'm not exactly "hating" on the Iphone. I'm "hating" about people being too damn lazy to think! About anything! At all!
 
zuben el genub said:
If there isn't a link to positive articles somewhere - all these negative pieces are doing convincing those that don't want or know how to think that Android is no good.
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to disagree; not to be argumentative, just to put my own spin on things. Most people don't read these articles before purchasing their phone. The plain and simple fact of the matter is most consumers don't hang out here or on other tech sites. Most of them spend a lot of time on Facebook, and their peers are the ones who are helping them make decisions based on the coolest commercial, what phone has a complimentary case with the most 'bling', and what phone is the current status symbol to own.

If these articles truly hurt Androids rep, Android wouldn't still be gaining market share. It wouldn't be where it is right now at all. Those of us who are inclined to seek out such articles and read them for their technical worth, know better. Those who read such articles and don't mind that there is no supporting evidence already own an iPhone. So we haven't lost anybody to poor and unfair reporting, they're already in the other camp(s) to begin with and this just serves to help them justify themselves. It goes both ways too - there are just as many Android zealots who are quite happy to see an Apple smashing piece with no substance as there are Apple zealots who love this kind of rubbish.
 
I've read (and watched videos) on reasons to choose Android. They're all pretty basic. What I'm curious about is why you would want this kind of validation for your choice from websites or stores with people who are likely less educated about it than you are? If you're worried about it (malware, etc.), go to Cyanogenmod's forum or XDA and ask around about security vulnerabilities. These are the people with the as much intimate knowledge of Android as Google themselves. Vulnerabilities exist and will always exist like with Windows. Google just recently patched a security hole in 2.3.4 that had been there since the beginning and CyanogenMod found and fixed one that they have kept quiet for safety purposes.

A simple method for working with Android and malware would be a sort of blocker for apps that access certain permissions. At activation, the owners chooses a knowledge level or comfort level for permissions. A low knowledge of permissions might disable certain apps that attempt to access permissions that could be used to steal information or make premium text messages that cost money. If a user is very knowledgeable about permissions then they can be taken to a screen where they choose which permissions apps can access. This screen would also gives a sort of FAQ on what these permissions might mean for the user. This solution would cut off use of some applications, but it would be as simple as having a whitelist for those who trust the app. This is solution is crude, but possibly effective.

Google also should really have a "Verified" rating for apps. This is like what Windows has for drivers. If a driver isn't verified, it could do damage to the OS. You can still install at your own risk. This way Google could go a sort of halfway like Apple does with their app store. You'll be able to tell which apps are safe from Google, but won't have the freedom taken away to install what you want like Apple might do.
 
As with other platforms, the biggest security issue is that gaping hole called the user. I review the permission requirements on every app I install - no exceptions. Then I make a choice to either install or not. Sometimes I choose not. My concern is that anything Google might put in place to "supervise" the Market will merely give the clueless a false sense of security.

What I would really like to see is the ability for end users to grant or deny individual permissions on an app-by-app basis. For example, Pandora wants to READ CONTACT DATA and ADD OR MODIFY CALENDAR EVENTS AND SEND EMAIL TO GUESTS. I assume it wants to read my contact data so I can share my music choices with my friends. But I don't want or need to do that, so I'd like to be able to disable that permission for Pandora.

I don't want or need Google to protect me - I just want a better ability to protect myself. Granular permission approval/denial would be a step in the right direction - at least for some of us.
 
Judging from Broadband reports - most of the readers are techs - just not cell phone, and some of the questions in the Cell forum prove it. They are the ones that might spot the negative headlines.

What is also irking me - There will be a notice that Google pulled apps - and never a list. I don't game, sync mail, look for free apps etc. nor do I keep passwords or automatically sign in. I'd love a FW - especially easy to use and with good blocking.

And things do disappear - what happened to the Phandroid forum that used to be the first listed?

I review the permissions, too. It's stopped me from installing a few.

As for protecting yourself - a lot of the malware articles are written by anti-malware app writers. So I would take their claims about their products with a grain of salt. I use ESET on my computers, and I see they have a mobile app. I'd rather pay them and get the service I'm used to. Eset isn't flogging it all over.

I don't like the idea that the stupidity of so many users is going to eventually get all of us locked down again.
 
UncleMike said:
As with other platforms, the biggest security issue is that gaping hole called the user. ...
Click to expand...

THIS! Working in tech support I get this reinforced every day. Problem is, the average technology user has a nasty habit of blaming the tool. If you want to be protected from yourself, by all means get yourself an iPhone. I prefer to be treated like an adult though. I understand that if I want the freedom of choice that Android offers, I am ultimately responsible for the integrity of my data. The rise of installed malware on Androids is no different than the spread of STDs. Some people just are too stupid or lazy to take simple precautions when they install their firmware into every available port.
 
UncleMike said:
As with other platforms, the biggest security issue is that gaping hole called the user. I review the permission requirements on every app I install - no exceptions. Then I make a choice to either install or not. Sometimes I choose not. My concern is that anything Google might put in place to "supervise" the Market will merely give the clueless a false sense of security.

What I would really like to see is the ability for end users to grant or deny individual permissions on an app-by-app basis. For example, Pandora wants to READ CONTACT DATA and ADD OR MODIFY CALENDAR EVENTS AND SEND EMAIL TO GUESTS. I assume it wants to read my contact data so I can share my music choices with my friends. But I don't want or need to do that, so I'd like to be able to disable that permission for Pandora.

I don't want or need Google to protect me - I just want a better ability to protect myself. Granular permission approval/denial would be a step in the right direction - at least for some of us.
Click to expand...

There is a way, if you're rooted. There is an app called "Permission Denied" that allows you to enable/disable the permissions of downloaded apps. However, you do risk crashing the app if you disable a service that you feel is unnecessary for it to have, but it calls on anyways. It takes a lot of tinkering/reboots to restrict some apps from having certain access. But I agree, this thing should be built into the OS.
 
I am finally seeing links to other articles in this forum. Which is what I wanted anyway. Also finally found a positive story:
Open barbarians poised to storm Apple's gate ? The Register

Also interesting:
Entner: International handset sales trends, and how the market is shifting - FierceWireless

Think this will help? Or is it the start of "Big Brother?"
Verizon, Google team on Android digital safety and security app - FierceMobileContent

I choose to use my phone my own way. I simply don't keep anything personal on it. That's why I am liking Android more than anything else so far. It is making assumptions, but assumptions I can mostly get rid of.
I would blame an OS if the OS behaved like the earlier MS offerings - shipped with security at a minimum and no real help on doing anything about it unless you started to read tech fora. Now I would blame myself for stupidity.

But then, that's why I want to read all info on both sides of an argument. Somewhere there might just be a glimmer of truth and I can make an informed decision.
 
zuben el genub said:
Another article dissing Android. How about some good rebuttals? Please?
Click to expand...
Why?

Every option has its pros and cons. Device OS's are no different. No OS is perfect. Android may suit you better but that doesn't mean that it suits everyone better. Each OS has its niche and will attract those that are suited to it. Only fanboys assume that one OS is universally best and must be guarded against all criticisms as if it was perfect.

The only thing that matters is whether you're happy with your decision or not. If you're not then consider the alternatives.
 
:confused:I didnt find anything wrong in the article .Though the guy's research is poor and the article was more of personal nature.
This is the stuff I tell my friends and people in my workshops.Basic security lies in your own hands.As you see in pages 2 and 3 , he reverted to basic security stuff and guidelines.

If exploits are found in android then it is good .Since now google can patch it.
It also shows the vigilance of the android community.
If they arent found in Apple iOS then it may also happen malware may be dormant .
I am not a part of Apple dev community ,so I can really comment on how secure iOS is.
The author is wrong with comments like "malware cesspool" ,"will become a bot as with PC" . Thats pure BS . Does he have a list of apps that were detected with malware .
On the counterpoint how can he say apple/blackberry is secure ,did he test all apps ??

Yeah android SD cards aren't encrypted (Mine isn't) .I hope google adds LUKS based encryption somewhere in future .

Overall the title was chosen to pique readers' interest ,since both apple and android fanboys will read it with equal and repelled interests
 
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