Russian Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and founder of the IT security company Kaspersky Lab, stated during the AusCERT security conference here in Australia, that Windows is a safer operating system compared to iOS, OS X and Android.
The cyber security expert also added that Microsoft has been making serious efforts to block most types of attack and keep the users protected with its upcoming Windows 10 OS.
His security firm, Kaspersky Lab, analyses more than 300,000 types of malware every day. The company has been developing advanced ways in preventing threats that would affect computers globally. They have been collecting data from their many active subscribers about virus and malware samples to generate statistics that allow them to see which operating systems are the most vulnerable to hackers.
Mobile banking has been a known target of criminals as many people shift to managing finances through social networks and email accounts. Kaspersky suggested the solution to those very fearful to “disconnect from the Internet” for the protection of all devices. He also mentioned that he does not own any smartphone and has been using an old Sony Ericsson mobile phone for communication.
Kaspersky mentioned that antivirus nowadays is not about the traditional virus prevention but about strengthening data against espionage, sabotage and cybercrime. He explained that although all systems, especially the Internet of Things, are susceptible to modern attacks, cybercriminals have been obsessed with iOS and OS X for their many vulnerabilities.
That’s right! Apple isn’t as safe as Apple make it out to be. Every other Security Firm agrees.
He noted that even though it is very hard to develop malware for the iPhone system due to the fact that its operating system is closed to outside programmers, every system has a weakness and that makes the iPhone the biggest potential security risk among mobile platforms. The worst-case scenario that could happen is if millions of Apple devices were infected, antivirus companies would not be able to develop an antivirus solution as they do not have any access to Apple security systems.
In regards to Android, Kaspersky pointed out that since it is a more open system, it would be easier to imagine “millions of brutal attacks,” but antivirus programmers could immediately develop anti-malware applications as well since it is an open platform.
Kaspersky did refer to Windows-operated smartphones as “so far very clean,” given how the security of the mobile platform of Microsoft is as tight as the level of security offered by Apple, again, we shouldn’t take it lightly as stated with the iPhone above, “even though it is very hard to develop malware for the iPhone system due to the fact that its operating system is closed to outside programmers, every system has a weakness“, every device is vulnerable.
iOS and Android have dominated a bigger share of the mobile OS market compared to Windows. The risks for Windows smartphones may therefore be less, which can be compared as the same situation with Windows OS vs Mac OSX. As Windows 10 develops and the fact that most refer to the share % from the US, Microsoft have a good chance to bump up there shares around the world, even beating its competitors if Windows 10 has built its platform to the high excitement/expectations it has from Preview Consumer users, Developers & Businesses.
Looking at a positive side, Kaspersky stated that the best answer lies in education, information sharing and law enforcement to prevent the spread of cyber attacks.
Smartphone
If you are someone who is worried over security than anything else, we suggest looking to Windows Phone for handheld. It cops more flak than it should, but with more support, it can be a great device.
Android users can look to Norton 360 by Symantec or other 3rd party Anti-Virus firms like Kaspersky Lab.
Apple users will have to hope that Apple stay on top of things as they only have a department in the company that handles security compared to Microsoft & Google, who can bring Firms to the fight, that dedicate their business to Cyber Security.
Tablet/PC
Users of Windows have Microsoft and their own Security Department but have Security firms on hand with 3rd party Software to protect you.
Android still follows its basis like iOS in terms of what system is run, so you can follow Smartphone advise by installing 3rd party Software.
Mac/iPad are in the same boat as the Smartphone. OSX has little to no worry due to the VERY low user % but iPad sit’s high as iOS run on both mobile devices.
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