Android may be open, but it doesn't mean there's a lack of security, according to Google. Google's head of the Android division, Sundar Pichai, stated at the Mobile World Congress that while Android is not designed to be safe, it's still relatively secure--and you get more freedom with the system, according to ZDNET.
In fact, Pichai's point was that Android's openness actually makes it more secure. There are a lot of advantages of having an open source platform from a security standpoint since it allows researchers to inspect it and examine it and, ultimately, contribute to Android security, according to Tech Crunch.
Yet there is a right to show some concern. Last month, a report by Cisco showed that 99 percent of mobile malware targets Android, according to Apple Insider. That said, another report stated that 77 percent of Android's threats could be eliminated if all android devices had the latest OS. Unfortunately at the time, only an estimated four percent did.
In addition, there is a bit of an issue with Android's openness. While it will allow for, potentially, better security, it might also "allow for the shipping of dated, unsafe code," according to Tech Crunch. This means that there will have to be quick updates in order to keep phones secure.
So is Android secure? It's an ongoing debate, but it seems to be relatively secure as long as you update regularly. While malware has a tendency to specifically target Android, an updated device can stave off any attacks.
