With features that make them more reminiscent of pocket computers and less of telephones, smartphones are an integral part of the daily lives of millions of people, for surfing, communicating via the Internet, or shopping from online stores.
However, as the capabilities of "smart" mobile phones multiply, so does the sensitive data they contain, resulting in increasing risks to the security and privacy of their users.
This is why Apple and Google took care to "shield" iOS 8 and Android Lollipop (5.0) even better, respectively, the new versions of their operating systems for "smart" devices. Apple's iOS 8 was released in mid-September for the iPhone and iPad, while the official unveiling of Android Lollipop (5.0) took place on October 15, along with the Nexus 6 & 9, with Google having announced the new security features that it will include since the summer.
The positive comments about the enhanced protection provided by iOS 8 focus on the new menu that allows the user to better control what data their applications collect. The menu's "target" is all kinds of programs that collect sensitive information for advertising purposes, as they do not need it for their operation. Something that can now be prevented by going to "Privacy" and choosing which of the installed applications will have access to their contacts, photos, calendar or biometric data.
Having activated two-step verification for iCloud a few days earlier, in order to strengthen the security of the service after the scandal of the leak of nude photos of famous Hollywood actresses on the Internet, Apple took care with iOS 8 to more effectively protect the files stored on its "smart" devices. This is because the default setting is to store them encrypted, so that it is impossible even for Apple to provide them to the American authorities, if requested. Thanks to encryption, the data is also "shielded" in the event of theft or loss of the device, since one would have to know its password to recover them.
Encryption will also be the default in Google's Android 5.0, which will ensure that those who have Android smartphones will also be able to give away or sell their old device without a "trace" of their stored files.
Source: kathimerini.gr
