Most iPhone users blithely believe that their phones are safe from hackers. Unlike Android phones, which have been the target of a few malicious attacks, iPhones have so far been less vulnerable because Android is growing faster and because, unlike Apple, it does not screens all apps before allowing them in its app store.
But Lookout, a start-up that makes security apps for phones, wants iPhone owners to use its product, too. On Tuesday, it plans to introduce an iPhone app that addresses what its founders say are worries unique to iPhone owners.
Mobile phone security is not a crisis yet, because hackers are still mostly focused on computers. But smartphones are also computers, and people generally do not think about protecting their phones the same way they protect their laptops, even though phones often have much more sensitive information.
Unlike Lookout’s Android app, which has 12 million users, the iPhone app will not screen for malware. Instead, it will alert people when their phones are “jailbroken,” need software updates, use location services or access unencrypted Wi-Fi networks.
“We’re prioritizing the problems on each platform,” said Kevin Mahaffey, chief technology officer and co-founder of Lookout.
For instance, Lookout will remind iPhone users to plug their phones into their computers to receive software updates, since many go months without doing so. Most Android phones, on the other hand, update automatically. And it will alert people if they are about to enter a password while using one of the unencrypted Wi-Fi networks that iPhones prompt users to join.
Lookout eventually plans to make money selling its apps to businesses, which would likely want the highest level of security for employees’ phones even if instances of malware have so far been few.
Like Lookout’s Android app, the iPhone app will back up data on the phone, which can then be transferred to a new iPhone or to Android devices. And it will help users find missing phones by showing them on a map and making phones emit a siren sound. Eventually, it might screen for malware as well.
“I do think that at some point malware will probably affect the iPhone,” Mr. Mahaffey said. “There’s no magic pixie dust in the iPhone that makes it immune, but it hasn’t historically been a publicized problem.”
But Lookout, a start-up that makes security apps for phones, wants iPhone owners to use its product, too. On Tuesday, it plans to introduce an iPhone app that addresses what its founders say are worries unique to iPhone owners.
Mobile phone security is not a crisis yet, because hackers are still mostly focused on computers. But smartphones are also computers, and people generally do not think about protecting their phones the same way they protect their laptops, even though phones often have much more sensitive information.
Unlike Lookout’s Android app, which has 12 million users, the iPhone app will not screen for malware. Instead, it will alert people when their phones are “jailbroken,” need software updates, use location services or access unencrypted Wi-Fi networks.
“We’re prioritizing the problems on each platform,” said Kevin Mahaffey, chief technology officer and co-founder of Lookout.
For instance, Lookout will remind iPhone users to plug their phones into their computers to receive software updates, since many go months without doing so. Most Android phones, on the other hand, update automatically. And it will alert people if they are about to enter a password while using one of the unencrypted Wi-Fi networks that iPhones prompt users to join.
Lookout eventually plans to make money selling its apps to businesses, which would likely want the highest level of security for employees’ phones even if instances of malware have so far been few.
Like Lookout’s Android app, the iPhone app will back up data on the phone, which can then be transferred to a new iPhone or to Android devices. And it will help users find missing phones by showing them on a map and making phones emit a siren sound. Eventually, it might screen for malware as well.
“I do think that at some point malware will probably affect the iPhone,” Mr. Mahaffey said. “There’s no magic pixie dust in the iPhone that makes it immune, but it hasn’t historically been a publicized problem.”
i though that iOS was a secured platform..
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