I see a problem in the argument the author makes, specifically around the capabilities of users. He describes the method of installing DroidWall as being beyond the grasp of most users. I would go further and say expecting most (non technical) users to pay attention to, let alone understand, all the security permissions is a stretch.
Comparing Android to Windows in terms of it's security vulnerabilities? There are some fair comparisons, but the better comparison is how it is more likely to become a platform littered with unwanted apps from carriers and third parties. I wouldn't be surprised at some point to see Apps the "bundle" other apps.
People don't pay attention to all the words that flash on their screen before an app is installed. They just want the app.
Having a better managed app store would be a big step in the right direction.
As for disabling net access for "free" games that you want to play so that they don't display ads, the current focus on free and $0.99 apps really leaves the developers who put time in little other recourse to make money. (I'm not saying all free/cheap apps are of the same caliber, some are great and some are "not scottish").
I absolutely agree. The current warnings are inadequate because the average phone user does not bother to read them and cannot understand them.
The average user does not think up malware exploit-cases to convince himself that full internet access combined with the universal implicit 'read anything off the SD card' permission is not a good thing. He just clicks the funny rubber cow and listens to the moo sounds!
If games want to display ads, that would be okay, but they need a more limited permission which gives them internet access to their home server only (like java applets) and no access to local filesystems except a little space for their own settings and files. I think there should also be a declaration of ad-spamminess in the manifest so that people can avoid such games. I really don't trust random closed-source freeware games with my filesystems.
Comparing Android to Windows in terms of it's security vulnerabilities? There are some fair comparisons, but the better comparison is how it is more likely to become a platform littered with unwanted apps from carriers and third parties. I wouldn't be surprised at some point to see Apps the "bundle" other apps.
People don't pay attention to all the words that flash on their screen before an app is installed. They just want the app.
Having a better managed app store would be a big step in the right direction.
As for disabling net access for "free" games that you want to play so that they don't display ads, the current focus on free and $0.99 apps really leaves the developers who put time in little other recourse to make money. (I'm not saying all free/cheap apps are of the same caliber, some are great and some are "not scottish").