Android vs iPhone; App Advertisements & Security

umeweall · March 29th, 2012, 08:44 PM

I switched from the iPhone to my great Samsun Galaxy s2. I realized a major difference between the iPhone and the Android system immediately--ads. I received NO ads on my iPhone. On the Android system you get ads, and apps that seem to want to 'watch' you on your phone, wanting access to your phone records/contacts, and other questionable items. I also have started to receive more crap emails, after supplying email address to these apps. I do not have as 'safe' a feeling with the Android operating system, as I did with the iPhone. I do not feel that my personal privacy is protected as well. This already has be leaning to go back to the iPhone, after my two-year contract is done.

sciullo779 · March 30th, 2012, 01:05 PM

funny, only the free versions of apps have ads for me, and ive always had around 200 spam emails per week before i even got my droid phones, and it never increased. If you prefer to be herded around go back to iphone, and enjoy your bland uncustomizable OS.

EarlyMon · March 30th, 2012, 01:21 PM

Sheesh, let's keep it light, it's not like either Android or iOS is perfect.

Welcome to the forums, umeweall!

It's true, ads come in the free apps, you can usually chip in about a buck for the paid version they turn off.

App permissions is everyone's business, and it's important - you're absolutely right, bad apps can take too many permissions. Here's how to find your way around on that -

Android permissions explained, security tips, and avoiding malware

Absolutely a must-read for all Android users, new and old!

And I've yet to supply an email address to an app, ever, except when participating in beta test with devs I've come to know and trust - so, sorry this advice is late, but please don't do that.

So, you may be stuck with some crappy apps - good news, for every crappy app there's a legitimate alternative.

What apps have you added?

PS - same thing on privacy - you can configure your Android phone to be wide open, moderately secure, or with none of your info at all going out to the internet.

Android is all about choice.

umeweall · March 30th, 2012, 03:19 PM

Earlymon,

Thank you for you info. I think that I need to really look at the permissions issue with apps, and determine what is customizable by me, versus what is not in my control. For those apps that seem to want permissions that I do not want to give, I just will not use them. I fully understand that the permissions that are given to an app are extremely important to the 'health' of the items stored on the phone, and my potential peace of mind. I have been lazy in this regard, as I previously did not need to be concerned about it. The environment has changed, and I now do need to be concerned about it. There is much to be said about having an 'open' operating system, in terms of public participation in creating useful applications for usage. Thank you for the pointer to the publications. I will begin my 're-education', as to application/phone security, which is an absolute must.

EarlyMon · March 30th, 2012, 03:25 PM

Hey, my pleasure!

Just an fyi to pass on to your friends still using the iPhone - neither ecosystem is truly safe. See also -

Google Market VS Apple Store

Not saying that to bash the other guys - just a point of truth -> security is everyone's business, there are no corporations for us to trust.

FWIW, you may consider rooting your Android phone (equivalent of getting Admin access on a PC or Mac) and then installing DroidWall (Android firewall). I don't let apps out on the network unless it's ok with me to begin with.

umeweall · March 30th, 2012, 03:39 PM

Yes, rooting was another item on my list to look into. I had been looking at several security applications. Several of them required the phone to be rooted. I am all for firewalls, and control over who goes out and who comes in. I like knowing what is happening on my device, with me establishing who gets a passport to leave and enter. I guess that I may have a degree of reading and playing to do, working with permissions, rooting, and firewall configuration.

umeweall · March 30th, 2012, 03:42 PM

Sorry, I forgot to ask, do you have a recommendation for a good document for rooting a Samsung Galaxy 2s?

breadnatty08 · March 31st, 2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umeweall

Sorry, I forgot to ask, do you have a recommendation for a good document for rooting a Samsung Galaxy 2s?

Which version do you have? I would assume the AT&T since you came from an iPhone. If so, check out the forums for that particular phone, and there's a subforum for all Root related things.
If this is your first time rooting, be sure to read all the instructions at least 10 times before proceeding.

One of the apps that you may want to install once rooted is AdFree. It blocks out ads in apps and in the browser. It's slightly controversial around here, but one of the best, free root apps. Any other help you'll need on root, just shoot over to your respective forum.

umeweall · March 31st, 2012, 11:07 AM

I have the AT&T version of the Galaxy s2. I will take a look at the other forums on rooting. AdFree was coincidentally the first app that I had wanted. I currently have 'Ad Network Detector' loaded, which was also free. I want AdFree, but need to get rooted to have it. Even some of the backup apps (such as 'Titanium backup') that I have looked at require the phone to be rooted. I may go with 'MyBackup Pro' first, as they have two versions, one not rooted and one for rooted systems. I want my system fully backed up, before I start playing with it.

EarlyMon · March 31st, 2012, 11:35 AM

Yep, it's terribly important to use only the rooting info for your exact version of the SGS2.

MyBackup Pro is excellent, and then after you root, add MyBackup Root and you have the complete bundle.

I use both Titanium Backup and MyBackup Root (I'm a backup freak) and I prefer the simplicity of MyBackup Root quite often.

mikedt · April 1st, 2012, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umeweall

I also have started to receive more crap emails, after supplying email address to these apps.

What apps are requiring you to supply an email address? Are they some online things that you have to register for. Surely that would be the same for their iOS counterparts as well.

umeweall · April 1st, 2012, 11:28 AM

sciullo779; sorry, I had over looked your question to me. Yes, I did a few of the apps 'registration' process, which I normally do not do. I was affected by the 'newness' of the phone and quickly loading apps onto the phone. I do not even remember which ones that I did it for! I do know that within days of doing this I started receiving 'extra' emails, with suspicious tendencies, from all over the place. I generally have no problem, as I do not open unsolicited emails, no matter where they claim they are from. I just consider it to be annoying. I filter such crap out at my main email server, which serves as a virtual firewall, before the emails reach me. You are right thought, I have had a form of the same thing happen, from companies 'associated' with a company that I have done business with, which I knew was a 'good' company. Under their privacy statements, they 'share' information with business partners, who could be anyone.

9to5cynic · April 2nd, 2012, 11:21 PM

I know that a lot of [great] answers [especially early's link to the permission guide (my first AF bookmark btw ;D)] have been given regarding the OP, but I'd like to say that probably, and I don't know this for sure, more iOS apps are getting access to your contacts and that stuff than you realize. Android is a little more 'open' with you, so you see what apps get access to what.

If I recall correctly, blackberry allowed you to allow various permissions for each app you installed, which is something that (IMO) android could benefit from.

best of luck if you decide to root your device.