iOS is now (almost) as open as Android, which is much safer – RTL Z

Apple has the beating heart of iOS made public, so anyone can view the operating system code – similar to Android. That should make iOS more secure because anyone can seek out vulnerabilities in the code.

Software consists of several lines of code. Companies maintain that code usually secret because others may or may not run off with their technology by which copying for example. But how do you make sure the code is safe? And there are not secretly loopholes for governments? Which answers questions open source software, the code is public and therefore anyone can check whether the code is safe.

Android is open source

Android is an example of an open source operating. Developers can view the code and analyze whether there somewhere vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can then be reported to Google, which she has the software. That makes open source software is usually very safe because everyone (and therefore beveligingsexperts) itself can check whether the software is safe and contains no loopholes.

The kernel, the heart of iOS, was always encrypted by Apple, leaving only Apple could see the code. Consumers also had to rely on Apple that security was in order. But with the first beta of iOS 10, whose final version is released this fall, is the heart of open source iOS. The reason for the disclosure of the code is not yet known. Some security experts think it is a mistake by Apple, others believe that it is a conscious choice.

Unlike Google, Apple rewards those vulnerabilities do not report. Or Apple though going to do in the future is not yet known.

The heart is the kernel

The heart of iOS is the so-called kernel, which lets software control the hardware. The kernel is therefore the most interesting part for hackers because they access the kernel, for example – without knowing it – to turn on the camera and microphone. The company Zerodium that vulnerabilities in software sales to governments and investigative services, for example, imposes a $ 500,000 down for someone hacking the kernel of IOS.

The opening of the kernel may also have to do with Apple’s legal battle with the FBI. The FBI wants that Apple is developing a special version of iOS that allows them to crack any phone, but the company refused. By opening up the kernel, they make it possible that anyone can examine the security of iOS. That will likely lead to more vulnerabilities reported that an investigation department and the FBI not to exploit more.

Source • RTL Z / Daniel Verlaan