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The US-based security software firm Malwarebytes recently published a new study that attempts to settle the long-running iPhone vs. Android debate. This time, the focus isn’t on speed or camera quality, but on which users are safer online, including who takes more risks, who is less cautious, and who is more likely to fall for scams. The results are pretty surprising, but I think the real reason behind them has less to do with tech and more to do with behavior.
Malwarebytes surveyed over 1,300 people in the US, the UK, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The study divided the age groups and geographical regions equally. The headline stat: 53% of iPhone users reported being scammed online, compared to 48% of Android users.
The gap only widens when considering increased scam risk. Malwarebytes reports that 47% of iPhone users said they had purchased something from an unknown website just because it was cheaper, while only 40% of Android users said the same. And continues stating 41% of iPhone users said they’ve sent a DM to a seller on social media for a discount code, versus 33% of Android users. Personally, I thought that was a particularly odd survey question.
There’s also a significant difference between how each group practices digital hygiene, basically the steps taken to protect themselves from threats online. Only 21% of iPhone users have installed some sort of security software on their phones, compared to 29% of Android users. And only 35% of iPhone users said they use unique passwords across accounts, falling short of the 41% of Android users.
Let’s go back to the former stat about installing third-party security software. While I don’t necessarily fault iPhone users too much here, this is an important indicator. iOS is tightly controlled and closed off by nature, and combined with Apple’s unyielding stance on privacy, it’s likely given users more peace of mind. However, has it swung too far and created a general perception that iPhones are 100 percent safe and can’t get malware? Absolutely.
I’ve been making this point for years, and now Malwarebytes’ research backs it up. A full 55% of iPhone users believe their device is inherently safe from any threat. This isn’t true in the slightest, and is an unfortunate level of confidence that leads to complacency, which leads to riskier actions taken online. After all, behind the mysticism of iOS is software like any other, with code written by humans and vulnerable to flaws. Recently evident in the list of security patches in iOS 18.6 published by Apple on Tuesday.
The big takeaway here is simple: it’s not about which phone is more secure, it’s how people use them.
Security starts with the user. I know that answer won’t satisfy anyone looking for a definitive iPhone vs. Android winner. But it’s the most honest one.
F ollow Arin: Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Threads