After buying my first chromebook for the security features, I am wondering if the Pixel 4a is more secure than iphone se? Such as Chrome's boot checking etc. Thanks in advance.
Pixel 4a Vs iPhone SE for Security
SoylentGreen on 20/01/2021 - 20:58
Poll Options
- 7Pixel 4a has better security
- 27iPhone SE has better security
Comments
Apple overall has much better security than Google, Apple's main business is not made out of selling your data, while Google's (like Facebook) main source of revenue is ad revenue which is from selling all the data they've collected on people.
Though in saying that, a lot of the security benefits you gain on Apple is foregone if you just download the whole G suit (which is what I did >.<, I'm too dependant on G suit) on to your phone as your main apps -chrome, youtube, gmaps etc. as these are all "free apps" by google that collects and sells your data.
But there are still some security features which Apple has introduced that Android phones like Pixel are still a bit behind one.
1. Little dot on the top right-hand side of phone to indicate whenever the camera or the mic is being used (orange and green for each one, i don't remember which colour is for which)
2. Default is not allowing permissions and the app can only ask you for permissions once, after that they have to ask you go to setting and change stuff, which makes it easier to know exactly which feature you are giving the app permission to read and write to (a lot of apps unknowingly collected all the stuff you had on your clipboard - everything and anything you copy, just because it was written into the default android code that they had used to build the app on top of -almost nobody makes apps from complete scratch anymore, a lot of pre-written code is used and adjusted- and a lot of the app developers didn't even know they collected the data from ppls clipboards)
3. You can select the Apps to have permissions to read and write to a camera / gps etc. only when app is being used, on top of the always having permission or not having permission at all. Android may have introduced this feature too, though when I was using a Samsung, it only had 2; always given permission or not given permission, only when in use option was not there.
4. Later on Apple plans to introduce a feature on the security side to stop cross-app tracking to kill of FB tracking you across other apps (not exactly sure what this is, don't quote me on the details, but it's definitely gets in the way of FB tracking you, though Apple had delayed this security feature once, and I'm not certain when it will actually be introduced)
Green = camera.
Orange = microphone.All your points are features in Android 11 and 10.
some good points two posts above.
It seems like Apple are only two years behind GoogleIDK what crack you're on but no, Apple is not behind Android in these features, all were largely implemented before Android. source: https://www.themobileindian.com/news/ios-14-vs-android-11-ca…
- the colour dots for camera/mic recording as indication was implemented in iOS 14 which is before Android 11 came out like 3-4 months later with the same + slightly enhanced features.
- I don't think I explained this feature very well, I meant that once you say 'NO' to allowing permissions for an app, they can NEVER ask you again in-app. They can only ever direct you to do it yourself in settings. This is definitely not a feature of Android.
- Allow while the app is in use was implemented in iOS 11 years and years before it was on Android 10.
- Neither Android nor iOS has this feature, Apple has been meaning to implement it for the last year but kept getting delayed due to FB complaints.
Additionally, on top of this,
5. Android is widely known to have has more malware affect its phone due to the Play Store having a shit load of fake apps with malware on em compared to the App Store which is tightly monitored / vetted, malware still gets through, but nowhere in the same level and scale as the Play Store. source: https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/mediacenter/mobile-security….
6. Also, Apple has introduced a feature called Sign-in with Apple, which lets you log in to apps with an apple email and fake details. All communications redirected to you so that the merchant never gets any of your details. This is not an option in Android, you have to sign in with your proper email / fake account you have already set up beforehand. I have a few fake emails, but it's annoying having to go back and fort between emails, Sign in with Apple makes it all wayyy easier and more convenient.
7. You can select to only share approximate location with apps allowed to receive your location data, instead of precise GPS coordinates which is what Apps got before. Again not a feature on Android.
8. Overall Android is an open-source platform and the back end code can be viewed by anyone and everyone, hence vulnerabilities are more known. iOS is not an open-source platform. Source: https://nordvpn.com/blog/ios-vs-android-security/Security on android vs iOs vs WIndows vs Blackberry, (disclaimer: info is from late 2019)
https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/android-vs…The fact that you have to hide behind a downvote instead of properly replying to my arguments says a lot 😅
The difference in security is marginal between the two when you add human to the equation. Buy whatever you like.
If your goal is "security", I'd look into the GrapheneOS custom ROM. You can see a Reddit thread that compares iPhones and Pixels that involves the main developer.
If you're after privacy, a Pixel 4a running with a custom ROM is undoubtedly superior to an iPhone as there is no account associated with the device.
SE is more likely to be updated for a longer period of time. So if you keep it updated long term it may be more secure.