Don’t Be A Sitting Duck: Here Are The Most And Least Secure Smartphones

Phones have increasingly become a very crucial part of our lives. From being simple devices used for calling other people to being the home for all or at least a significant part of our digital lives, smartphones are as good as our shadows now.

While this means smartphones are a one-touch stop to connect with the world, this also means they are extremely lucrative targets for hackers, making them highly prone to cyber-attacks.

While big tech smartphone companies continue to strengthen the security of their products, as technology advances, so do the threats. So, how should one properly protect their smartphones against all parties?

Here Are The Most And Least Secure Smartphones

iPhones hold more than 50% of the smartphone market share in the U.S. Apple’s latest smartphone, the iPhone 15, comes with reinforced security features, making it increasingly difficult for malicious hackers to gain unauthorized access to these devices.

Some of these features include hardware-based security, a secure enclave, and advanced biometric authentication (Face ID). Moreover, Apple is known for its commitment to privacy as it regularly provides security updates.

What About Samsung?

Similarly, most Samsung smartphone devices come pre-installed with Samsung Knox, a multi-layered security platform. The phones also support advanced biometric authentication options.

While it is true that Samsung’s Knox platform is one of the most comprehensive security solutions available, a senior executive of Israeli digital intelligence company Cellebrite, told Benzinga on the condition of anonymity, that devices from Samsung are the easiest to crack from a mobile forensic point of view.

The source along with sources from two other companies including one from MH Service, a Germany-based company providing products and services related to IT Forensics said that old smartphones, regardless of the brand, often stop receiving security updates after a certain period, making them vulnerable to new threats.

Budget-friendly Android phones could also lack regular security updates and may not have the latest security features, making them susceptible to malware.

Just earlier this week, it was reported that starting in September, Microsoft will mandate that its employees in China use only iPhones for work, effectively discontinuing the use of Android-powered devices in the workplace.

While this doesn’t suggest that Android phones are less secure because Google Play services are not available in China, it reinforces the point that smartphones today are devices that need more protection.

…and Google

One of the things that Google prides itself on is the set of enhanced security features on its Pixel smartphones. This is made possible by the dedicated Titan M2 security chip, which is the same chip that is used to protect Google’s cloud data centers.

Google claims that the Titan M2 is “tested against the international gold standard used for identity, SIM card and bank card security chips.”

Here’s How You Can Protect Your Smartphone Against Snooping Eyes

Keep Your Software Updated: Ensure your smartphone’s operating system and apps are up to date. Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities and improve overall security.

Use Strong Passwords And Biometric Authentication: Use complex passwords and enable biometric authentication (like fingerprint or facial recognition) for an added layer of security.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Use 2FA for your accounts where available. This adds an extra step in verifying your identity, making it harder for hackers to gain access.

Be Cautious With Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi networks. Use a VPN if necessary to encrypt your data.

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