Study into the Implications of Smartphone Operating System Security

Study into the implications of Smartphone operating system security
Figure ES2: Smartphone Operating System Process Management
Mobile malware numbers are certainly rising, especially on Android, but the risks for UK
consumers of being affected are low. The greatest security risk currently for UK Smartphone
owners is the threat of a lost or stolen device.
Throughout the UK, Smartphones are being stolen on a daily basis and the problem is
growing. According to information that was obtained by The Times newspaper under the
Freedom of Information Act, more than 170 iPhones are stolen every day in London. 6 In all,
10,000 mobile phones are stolen every month in London with two thirds of the victims aged
between 13 and 16. The rise in stolen Smartphones was also recorded by the fact that in a
six-month period between April and September 2012, 28,800 iPhones were reported stolen
in London. Overall a total number of 56,680 mobiles were stolen in London between April
and September 2012, equating to 341 phones per day. 7
Other security threats to Smartphones are categorised into two main areas; financial fraud
(includes premium rate services and banking fraud) and personal information loss (privacy
issues). There is evidence of targeted attacks leading to both financial fraud and personal
information loss and with Smartphones becoming a major technology tool then it is probable
that these attacks will increase.
6 The teen smartphone mugging epidemic: Two-thirds of mobile theft victims in London are children or
young adults. Daily Mail, 5 January 2013: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2257536/The-teensmartphone-mugging-epidemic-Two-thirds-mobile-theft-victims-London-children-young-adults.html
7 Thieves steal 160 iPhones per day in London in 2012. V3.co.uk, 15 January 2013:
http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/the-frontline-blog/2236443/thieves-steal-160-iphones-per-day-in-london-in-
2012
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