Understanding the Android Market security system

Filed under: Security, Features, Mobile, Android

Last week I (and a bunch of other sites) ran a scandalous-sounding story about the Android Market and how 'up to 20% of its apps could be malware'. Google actually contacted us and asked for a retraction; I refused. Instead, I decided to explain the Android Market permission system.

If you don't own an Android phone, the permission system is fantastic. Every app has to define which resources it wants access to. When you install an app (via the Market), you are shown a bunch of very clear warnings that detail what data and services the app will have access to. The great thing about this system is that apps can't lie. An app can't, after two weeks, gain access to your email.

The system is, in all honesty, fantastic. The only real weakness is user ignorance -- if you install a wallpaper app that wants the ability to send SMSes, that's your fault!

So, this guide goes some way to explaining what each of the permissions allow your phone to do. I'm not going to cover every single facet of the system, but hopefully you'll be a little more savvy by the time I finish.

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Understanding the Android Market security system originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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