Android phones vulnerable to open WiFi

At the time of logging in the authentication token issued by Google remains valid for 15 days and can be used again on Google Calendar, which doesn't use https. Meanwhile, the username and password can be intercepted.

Close to 99 per cent of all Android devices are prone to data theft, especially of the username and passwords of Google services, German researchers have reported.

It was found that Android devices running on 2.3.3 or older versions are particularly susceptible as the client login authentication process used in these versions is insecure.

In fact, the vulnerability exists not just for Google apps but for any apps that don't use a ClientLogin protocol (the protocol for logging in to your Google account) only on https (secured).

Too many operating systems? Innovation can come anytime

The mobile market is bursting with new operating systems, but like in any other business, the best ones will float while the ones that don't become popular will have no option but to go down.

There was a time when people used to perform simple functions such as making calls and sending SMSes with their mobile phones. Now people want their mobile phones to work like computers. They want to see and share photos with it, send email, browse the internet and more. That's why they need phones to have full fledged operating systems (just like computers do).

The arrival of smartphone operating systems started a long time ago. It was in 1996 that Palm OS was launched, and Pocket PC (Microsoft) arrived in 2000. 

Windows Mobile 5 and BlackBerry OS 4.1 came in 2005. Android was acquired by Google in the same year and iPhone was released in 2007. Android 1.0, BlackBerry OS 4.5, iPhone OS 2.0 and Windows Mobile 6.1—all came in 2008. Samsung bada was announced in 2009.

Despite the surfeit of smartphone operating systems, the market for them didn't really take off as Java based phones were popular at that time, and operating system-based phones barely had any applications, which meant that users had to manage with the apps their handset manufacturers gave them. If developers wanted to sell an app, they had to strike a deal directly with the manufacturer of the phone, which was very difficult.