Cybersecurity is a subject that is increasingly present in the public mind. Some companies have attempted to educate users about safe practices when using their internet-connected devices. On smartphones, Apple’s approach to privacy has given iOS an “aura” of greater security or robustness against potential attacks. However, it seems that iOS is actually more prone to malicious attacks than Android.
The Lookout cybersecurity platform carried out an in-depth study related to the current state of cybersecurity on mobile devices. The Lookout database offers a large sample of more than 220 million mobile devices. Thus, the results can offer a valid view of the overall situation. The study took into account both simple attacks based on social engineering (phishing) and attacks based on complex methods and advanced tools.
Malicious Attack Attempts Target More iOS Devices Than Android Devices
The Lookout team found that during the third quarter of 2024, credential theft on mobile devices increased by 17%. Phishing attacks on corporate devices also increased compared to the second quarter of 2024. Additionally, 32% more malicious applications were detected compared to the previous quarter.
Another rather interesting discovery is that iOS devices were more prone to malicious attacks than Android devices. This mainly applies to the corporate environment. According to the source, 19% of enterprise iOS devices experienced at least one phishing attack during the study period. For reference, 10.9% of enterprise Android devices have suffered such attacks.
That said, it’s possible that the difference is due to a greater presence of iOS devices in enterprise environments. One of the priorities of enterprise IT teams is software consistency. It’s a breeze to do on iOS since its updates are generally available for all eligible models on day one. On Android, you can only do this by purchasing a specific model. Apple offers more versatility by rolling out updates for multiple iPhone generations on the same day.
However, given equal conditions, the number of attempted phishing attacks on iOS and Android would probably be comparable. This suggests that Android could be just as secure as Apple’s mobile operating system for enterprise use. However, it is the consistency of software that pushes companies towards iPhones.
