Ensuring a safe and secure environment has become a high priority for businesses worldwide. In this blog, we will discuss the most relevant Android security measures for both Android AOSP versions and Google Mobile Services. Moreover, explore how we work with Android and how you benefit from optimal Android Device Security on ProDVX devices. Enjoy the reading!
Android incorporates several layers of security measures to protect user data, privacy, and the integrity of the system. These security layers make Android a highly secure operating system. Let’s take a deeper dive into the most relevant Android device security aspects.
Google, the company behind Android, releases regular security updates to address known vulnerabilities and threats. These updates are pushed out to devices as soon as they become available, helping to keep the system secure against emerging threats.
Android applications run within their own sandboxed environment, which limits their access to the rest of the system and other apps. This helps prevent malicious apps from accessing sensitive information or causing harm to the device.
Google Play Protect is a built-in malware protection system for GMS-certified devices that scans apps on the Google Play Store and on the device itself for malware and other security threats. It helps ensure that users download and install only safe and verified apps.
Android devices use a feature called Verified Boot to ensure that the device boots up only with trusted software. This helps prevent malware from tampering with the boot process and gaining control of the device.
Android supports encryption for user data stored on the device, making it difficult for unauthorised users to access sensitive information, even if they gain physical access to the device.
Android's permissions system allows users to control the access that apps have to sensitive data and device features. Users are prompted to grant permissions when they install an app, and they can revoke or modify these permissions at any time.
While Android is designed with security in mind, its security also depends on users following best practices. This includes keeping devices up-to-date, avoiding downloading apps from untrusted sources, and being cautious about the permissions granted to apps.
Most of our Android devices run on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and include the aforementioned Android device security features (except from Google Play Protect). In addition, Android offers Google Certified versions with Google Mobile Services (GMS). GMS, a license-based collection of Google applications and APIs, supports functionality across Android devices and provides advanced Android device security features, including:
GMS-certified devices come with Google Play Protect, Google's built-in malware protection system. Play Protect continuously scans apps installed on the device and actively monitors for suspicious activity, helping to detect and remove harmful apps.
GMS-certified devices have access to the Google Play Store, which provides a curated selection of apps that have been vetted for security and quality. This reduces the likelihood of users unknowingly downloading malicious or compromised apps from third-party sources.
GMS-certified devices typically receive security updates directly from Google on a regular basis. These updates include patches for known vulnerabilities and help to protect the device against emerging security threats.
GMS-certified devices include the Google Services Framework, which provides essential APIs and services for secure communication, authentication, and data synchronisation. These services are designed with security in mind and help to protect user data while interacting with various Google services.
GMS certification involves rigorous testing and verification by Google to ensure that devices meet certain quality and security standards. This includes testing compatibility with Google's services and APIs, as well as adherence to security best practices. Our APPC-10SLBe passed the test and is GMS-certified.
GMS-certified devices come pre-installed with Google Play Services, which provides essential background services and APIs for app functionality and security. These services include features such as device encryption, secure authentication, and remote device management, enhancing overall security posture.
Google Mobile Services-certified devices, such as our APPC-10SLBe, are widely used in enterprise and consumer settings where security is a primary concern. If you’re curious about how our APPC-10SLBe can be beneficial to your business, visit our product page for more information.
Considering all these Android device security features, ProDVX has a lot of tools to design highly secure devices -
and that is exactly what we do! In this part, we will explain how we work with Android.
Firstly, we refrain from rooted firmware for the following reasons:
Security risks: Rooting a device often involves bypassing security measures in the Android operating system itself. This can expose the device to various security vulnerabilities and make it easier for malicious actors to gain access to sensitive information or compromise the device.
Instability and performance issues: Rooting can sometimes cause instability and performance issues on the device. This is because it gives users access to system files and settings that are normally hidden, which can lead to unintended consequences if not managed properly.
Secondly, we follow all security updates from both Google and the Android community for our devices. We do this to enhance protection against vulnerabilities, prevent exploits, and maintain device performance. Some security updates may also include performance improvements or bug fixes that optimise the functioning of your device.
In an increasingly connected and digitalised world, it is crucial to stay up to date and promptly install security updates. This way, you can ensure that your device operates smoothly and efficiently while maintaining the security, privacy, and performance of your devices and data.
By running the highly secure Android operating system in combination with the security features integrated into our devices, you can be assured that your fleet benefits from optimal device security. So, now that you have learned all about Android Device Security, it is time to discover the additional security features on our devices. Read our blog highlighting 7 ways to ensure device security on your ProDVX devices.
If you have any questions regarding Android Device Security measures or the security features on your ProDVX device, please contact one of experts. We’re happy to help!
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