PETALING JAYA: Some of the security concerns of smartphones come from the hardware while others from the software, the former unable to be resolved through software updates.

Chua Chin Siang, chief technology officer at a local software development company, told Sin Chew Daily regular software updates could help reduce such security flaws, be it Android operating system or iOS.

“Many people are afraid their phones will get slower or face other issues such as file loss or crashes if they update the system.

“Of course there are people who just don’t know how to update the software.

“iOS is a closed operating system available only to Apple users. As such, it is relatively difficult to download applications of unidentified sources on the iOS, although this can still be done through jailbreak.

“Excessive authorization brings security concerns,” he warned.

Chua said the application vetting process is stricter for App Store and apps that can read SMS will not make it in App Store, making iOS safer than Android in terms of SMS OTP (one-time password) retrieval.

As for Android, it can be installed by any phone manufacturer because it is an open source operating system.

“Apps are normally downloaded on Android phones from Google Play and these apps are generally safe to download. Chinese phone makers have their own application stores. So does Samsung.

“More established application stores are usually safer than the relatively open app stores not owned by any major phone makers.”

He urged the public to avoid downloading apps of unidentified sources outside Google Play and App Store.

Under normal circumstances, the application will request for the user’s authorization and the user must make sure they do not provide unnecessary authorization.

To prevent the breach of confidential data, the most direct way is not to install any unidentified software or authorize the access to the user’s SMS or phone book, while updating the operating system from time to time.

Chua cautioned about installed keyboards, adding that built-in keyboards are always the safest.

“The same goes for password management. Never store your passwords in a note-taking app inside your phone.”

He also reminded the public not to deliberately install chrome extensions in the browser.