Study into the Implications of Smartphone Operating System Security
Study into the Implications of Smartphone Operating System Security
Study into the Implications of Smartphone Operating System Security
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<strong>Study</strong> <strong>into</strong> <strong>the</strong> implications <strong>of</strong> <strong>Smartphone</strong> operating system security<br />
Appendix F: A guide to mobile operating systems<br />
Types <strong>of</strong> mobile operating systems – mobile models<br />
In <strong>the</strong> main, <strong>the</strong>re are three main types <strong>of</strong> mobile operating system:<br />
1. Manufacturer-built proprietary operating systems where <strong>the</strong> operating system<br />
developer (<strong>the</strong> owner) is also <strong>the</strong> hardware manufacturer. This includes:<br />
a. Apple iOS<br />
b. BlackBerry OS<br />
2. Third-party proprietary operating systems where <strong>the</strong> operating system developer (<strong>the</strong><br />
owner) will license its operating system, usually for a fee, to third-party hardware<br />
manufacturers (Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs). In this method, similar<br />
to Micros<strong>of</strong>t’s personal computer operating system (Windows) model, <strong>the</strong> devices will<br />
have a consistent appearance and behaviour. There is little scope for customisation<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> operating system by <strong>the</strong> OEMs. This includes:<br />
a. Micros<strong>of</strong>t Windows Phone (Mobile)<br />
3. Free and open source operating systems where <strong>the</strong> operating system developer<br />
(owner) will release <strong>the</strong> operating system via <strong>the</strong> open source license method. Open<br />
source operating systems are developed by a company, a group <strong>of</strong> companies or a<br />
community <strong>of</strong> developers. Customisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> operating system is usually allowed<br />
to a certain degree (within <strong>the</strong> parameters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> license agreement). This includes:<br />
a. Google Android<br />
b. Symbian<br />
ROM and Mobile <strong>Operating</strong> <strong>System</strong>s<br />
In <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> mobile devices, Read-Only Memory (ROM) refers to <strong>the</strong> internal storage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
device that contains <strong>the</strong> firmware/operating system. Modification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firmware/operating<br />
system contained in ROM is usually only allowed under special circumstances and is<br />
protected.<br />
These special circumstances include updating <strong>the</strong> firmware/operating system as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
operating system s<strong>of</strong>tware update and patching process.<br />
Unauthorised changes to <strong>the</strong> firmware/operating system can happen and is called flashing,<br />
rooting or jailbreaking a device.<br />
Sources <strong>of</strong> <strong>Smartphone</strong> operating systems<br />
There are different types <strong>of</strong> firmware/operating system applicable to mobile devices. The<br />
type that a consumer may find in <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>Smartphone</strong> and o<strong>the</strong>r smart mobile devices depends<br />
on <strong>the</strong> operating system and <strong>the</strong> device that <strong>the</strong>y are using. They include:<br />
True Stock ROM/Firmware: This is where you have <strong>the</strong> firmware/operating system<br />
in a default form. There is little or no modification and this usually refers to situations<br />
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