Security - Android V/s BB OS10

[kunalzshah]

Dear All,

I run a small business. I wish to get some insights on security aspects when one compares Android 4X with BB OS10X.

My work requires that my employees and I travel. We use whatsapp / FB / Twitter / Viber / Maps / email and a few other apps, all with good ratings and a large user base.

I am a little apprehensive about someone (competition) tracking my location remotely, reading / logging calls / text / whatsapp messages / GPS / location etc., since in my type of work, these are very important aspects. If someone can track my employee, he will essentially know which client / prospect we have visited, or which site we are working on.

Further, agreements with clients restrict me and my associates / employees from disclosing several bits of information that are even not directly associated with the work that I do. We are not allowed to even disclose the location of our work sites.

If I go for a BB, I will NOT setup an enterprise server etc. Our office email backend is GMail, which has proven to be extremely secure. We do not use GDrive yet, but may need to use it in future.

1) Considering the above, would you suggest Android or BB?
2) If BB is safer, would it be safe to load Android apps through say the Amazon app that allows GPlay apps to be loaded onto a BB device?

I can guarantee that none of my employees will be careless enough to leave their device unattended, such that someone may get the opportunity to install an app. However, I'm apprehensive about apps being installed remotely, which I believe happens through Whatsapp links / code or through SMS. We do need to latch to clients' WiFi onsite, and how secure their WiFi is configured, I do not know.

 

[thedosbox]

I am a little apprehensive about someone (competition) tracking my location remotely, reading / logging calls / text / whatsapp messages / GPS / location etc., since in my type of work, these are very important aspects. If someone can track my employee, he will essentially know which client / prospect we have visited, or which site we are working on.

Switch off your phone and remove the battery. Because that's the only way you're not going to be tracked by "someone".

If you can install an app on a phone, it's potentially vulnerable to being tracked remotely. In fact both BB10 (BB Protect) and Android (Android Device Manager) include such a feature as part of the OS.

Also, anyone worried about security should probably reconsider using whatsapp given their poor record.

 

[biostud]

What about Windows Phone?

 

[thedosbox]

What about Windows Phone?

Has the same feature.

 

[shabby]

I am a little apprehensive about someone (competition) tracking my location remotely, reading / logging calls / text / whatsapp messages / GPS / location etc., since in my type of work, these are very important aspects. If someone can track my employee, he will essentially know which client / prospect we have visited, or which site we are working on.

I think you've watched a bit too much television if you believe someone, especially your competitor, is able to do all that. Unless google/nsa is your competitor.

Only way that someone can know your location is if you use some location sharing app and have your competitor as a friend and he's able to see where you are and you see where he is, but reading data off your phone is next to impossible unless you lose your phone and have no pin on it.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

If you're worried about malicious software, wouldn't an iOS device be better due to its heavy sandbox nature?

 

[kunalzshah]

Very interesting!!

Thank you thedosbox, I need to first get rid of Whatsapp!!

biostud, I suffered enough with Win 6.5 on a mobile device. Never again!

Shabby, HAHA!! Several competitors are on the contact list, at times we do BS together in joint contracts! And Google / NSA spying on me is no worries at all. I just don't want competition to track me! But I guess switching off location services, and not loading Whatsapp would do the trick.

JACKHAMMER, somehow I just don't get along with iPhones..

Thank you all!! Much appreciate!! Seems BB may be a safe option after all.

 

[kunalzshah]

BTW, how do I tag someone (like you do in facebook) on this forum, in a reply?

 

[s44]

Leave wifi off if you're really paranoid...

 

[biostud]

Very interesting!!

Thank you thedosbox, I need to first get rid of Whatsapp!!

biostud, I suffered enough with Win 6.5 on a mobile device. Never again!

Hehe, it's like comparing winME with win7. But choose what you find best, I think that WP8.1 is going to bring a lot of useful features to business phones.