• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Is the Stock Browser safe?

R

richie0079

Guest
i was wondering just how safe the Stock Browser on the Desire is?

I don't do any banking or anything on my phone, but am considering it for ease. But quite concerned about security (as i'm sure most are these days) and viruses/spyware etc etc.

I actually downloaded the Dolphin Browser, but find that to be a bit slow these days and am considering deleting it and going back to the original browser as it's much quicker.

thanks in advance for any advice.
 
I bank on mine.

From a virus perspective, android runs apps in a sandboxed environment and apps cannot access anything unless you have pressed "Allow". This cannot be circumvented.

However, if you download what you think is an official app, and it isnt, you risk allowing something that is not what it is supposed to be.
 
EddyOS said:
I use Dolphin HD as it's a LOT faster than the stock browser, but I don't bank on it. Save that for my laptop
Click to expand...

a fellow scouser :D

i did find Dolphin very fast in the early days too, but i tested it earlier against the stock app on some bookmarked pages, and it was much slower for some reason. :confused: I've noticed it happening more of late.

SUroot said:
I bank on mine.

From a virus perspective, android runs apps in a sandboxed environment and apps cannot access anything unless you have pressed "Allow". This cannot be circumvented.

However, if you download what you think is an official app, and it isnt, you risk allowing something that is not what it is supposed to be.
Click to expand...

not too sure i understand what you mean, sorry. :confused:

when you say official app, do you mean a marketplace app? I know you can enable apps to download that aren't from the market. Are they unofficial?

I'm always very careful with apps and their permissions anyway, but can apps steal information you put into a browser then?
 
You've got 2 safety issues here, apart from the one mentioned above about clicking on dodgy links :

- Having a virus / trojan / keylogger on your system. Your phone is undoubtedly safer here

- Having something picked up on the airwaves. Wifi is probably okay if you have it secured. Not sure about 3g? I'd imagine though a phone is as safe as a pc here as all connections should be secure (https)

I'd have no problem banking on my phone but I'd take all the precautions I do on my pc. i.e. don't do it on a public wi-fi hotspot as unless you use a vpn it can never be safe.
 
richie0079 said:
not too sure i understand what you mean, sorry. :confused:

when you say official app, do you mean a marketplace app? I know you can enable apps to download that aren't from the market. Are they unofficial?

I'm always very careful with apps and their permissions anyway, but can apps steal information you put into a browser then?
Click to expand...

Sorry what I mean is, for example...

There was a fake angry birds app on the market. people thought they were downloading the real one so they allowed all the permissions. Except it wasnt angry birds, it was something malicious.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom