Mobile Device Security Quiz

Antivirus apps protect mobile devices by scanning for and removing malicious software, providing locator services, remote lock, or remote wipe, and running in a sandbox to isolate code from other resources.

A sandbox is a location in the OS that isolates code from other resources and code, making it difficult for malicious programs to infect a mobile device.

iOS does not allow automatic or scheduled scans to prevent malicious programs from using unauthorized resources or contaminating other apps or the OS.

Downloading apps only from trusted sources is important to prevent malicious apps from gaining access to resources allowed during installation, as trusted sources are authenticated and authorized by a service provider.

A firewall for mobile devices can monitor app activity and prevent connections to specific ports or IP addresses. It works at a higher (root) permission level and can prevent a malicious program from infecting additional devices by controlling app access to a virtual private network (VPN).

Rooting and jailbreaking are methods for removing restrictions and protections added to mobile operating systems. Rooting is used on Android devices to gain privileged access, while jailbreaking is used on iOS devices to remove manufacturer restrictions. They both allow users to run unauthorized code, access the file system, and grant full access to kernel modules.

Rooting or jailbreaking a mobile device usually voids the manufacturer's warranty and can expose the device to security risks. It is not recommended to modify a customer's mobile device in this way.

Jailbreaking exploits vulnerabilities in iOS to remove manufacturer restrictions. Apple discourages jailbreaking and actively works towards eliminating vulnerabilities that make jailbreaking possible. iOS updates usually include patches to eliminate known vulnerabilities that allow jailbreaking.

Android updates and patches use an automated process for delivery. When a carrier or manufacturer has an update for a device, a notification on the device indicates that an update is ready. Users can then begin the download and installation process.

Sometimes a new version of Android cannot install on older devices where the hardware does not meet the minimum specifications. These devices might receive patches to fix known issues, but not receive OS upgrades.

Baseband updates consist of the Preferred Roaming List (PRL) and the Primary Rate ISDN (PRI). The PRL is configuration information that a cellular phone needs to communicate on networks other than its own, and the PRI configures the data rates between the device and the cell tower.

When iOS vulnerabilities are fixed by updates, it forces hackers to start over. Apple actively works towards eliminating vulnerabilities that make jailbreaking possible and discourages jailbreaking.

Rooting or jailbreaking a mobile device allows the GUI to be heavily customized, and modifications can be made to the OS to improve the speed and responsiveness of the device. Users can also install apps from secondary or unsupported sources.

The two types of updates are the Preferred Roaming List (PRL) and the Primary Rate ISDN (PRI). PRL is configuration information for a cellular phone to communicate on networks other than its own, and PRI configures data rates between the device and the cell tower, ensuring proper communication.