Apple devices are known for their high levels of security. But what makes Apple products different? Are they actually better designed? Or is it just a side effect of better marketing? Here are five things to know about Apple devices that can make them more secure
- Closed ecosystems
Apple products are all part of a closed ecosystem. That means Apple can control everything from hardware to software. .
Not everyone likes this, and it’s certainly not always convenient. But it has some clear benefits in terms of security.
For one thing, Apple users can basically only download apps from the App Store. This largely prevents side-loading of applications that may contain malware.
When you buy an Apple device, you’ll also get a clean copy of iOS, and that’s about it.
Android devices, on the other hand, tend to have slightly different operating systems, with various tweaks depending on the manufacturer.
This is beneficial in terms of usability. But it can also lead to minor security holes being discovered too late
- Regular updates
Apple devices are more likely to be updated than Android devices.
When Apple releases a new version of its operating system, all Apple users, at least those on relatively new devices, will have the option to install it.
In just over six months, iOS 14 has been installed on more than 90% of devices.
Because of its openness, Android handles things slightly differently.
Instead, when an update is released, it is up to the phone manufacturer or even the data carrier to ensure that their customers have access to the copy.
This doesn’t always work very well.
Android 11 was released around the same time as iOS 14, but it is estimated that only 25% of Android smartphones use it within six months of its release.
- The app store
If someone wants to launch a widespread attack on Apple devices, apps would be the perfect way to do it. To address this, Apple is very careful about what it allows to sell on the App Store. Google’s policy on Play stores is similar, but less robust.
Apple is known to spend more time than Google reviewing uploaded apps. They also have stronger rules for tracking.
Starting with iOS 14.5, you must be able to turn tracking off completely if you want to upload your App to the App Store.
Play stores don’t have this rule. As a result, the tracing policies of many applications found on the platform remain problematic.
- Sandbox all applications
Apple uses the sandbox. This is a technical way that when you install an application on your iPhone, it is isolated from all other applications. It can still communicate with other applications, but the ways in which it can do so are strictly limited.
This is in contrast to Android, which does not have this feature.
When you install an application on an Android device, the system personally asks you what permissions to grant it. But there’s nothing to stop a malicious application from being designed to ignore what you’re telling it to do.
This isn’t necessarily a design flaw on Android. Its manufacturers wanted it to be more open, and they made a careful trade-off between security and usability.
But when people claim that Apple devices are more secure, that’s one of the big differences they’re talking about.
- Smaller market share
It may not have been intentional. But by keeping the price of its products relatively high, Apple has inadvertently undercut its market share. By doing so, Apple also reduces the number of security threats.
According to one study, only about 26 percent of smartphones run on iOS. When cybercriminals decide who to target, they know that number very well.
Becoming an Apple user does not protect you from cybercrime. But it does mean that the vast majority of active threats are actually incompatible with your device.