How safe/secure is the Android on cheap tablet?

[Drakula]

Hi all,

Not sure if I am posting in the right part of the forum. But I was eyeing those sub $200 tablet, such as Coby, China Mart, Machspeed, iRulu, and quite a few other brands, for a possible tablet of choice for few of the family members that are not that computer literate. So want to get couple, if possible, as start up unit(s). That way, they do not have to worry too much if messed those up. Most of them stated that they have Ice Cream Sandwich installed, some even stated to have Jelly Bean.

To keep it short, just wondering if anyone might know how safe and/or secure the Android OS on those might be? Because remembered that there were mention of one of Apple's device was shipped with malware or trojan. Cannot remember if that is true. But do wonder if Google's Android OS have some measures built in to prevent some companies from putting "bad" software onto the OS without user's knowledge and monitor, track, or steal data from the user's.

So guess what I am asking are 3 questions: 1) about the security of the Android OS, regardless to the version, on those devices, 2) if Google have some built in checks to prevent companies to put software onto the OS that might do harm, and 3) basically just how safe are those cheap brands.

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[lxskllr]

So guess what I am asking are 3 questions: 1) about the security of the Android OS, regardless to the version, on those devices, 2) if Google have some built in checks to prevent companies to put software onto the OS that might do harm, and 3) basically just how safe are those cheap brands.

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

1 As good as any other. Security is the responsibility of the user. It's as good or poor as you make it.

2 Most of the cheap tablets don't have access to the Play store. You'd likely have to root(if possible) to get it. Other stores may not scan as well as Google. Again, it comes down to the user. someone in the habit of installing crap has a better chance of getting burned.

3 As safe as any other. Performance and features are the downsides to cheapies. I like cheap tablets. They do what I want, and it isn't a tragedy if something happens to them.

This is my preferred repo for apps. Not a big selection, but they're all libre software with source code available.

http://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdpage=1

 

[Drakula]

1 As good as any other. Security is the responsibility of the user. It's as good or poor as you make it.

2 Most of the cheap tablets don't have access to the Play store. You'd likely have to root(if possible) to get it. Other stores may not scan as well as Google. Again, it comes down to the user. someone in the habit of installing crap has a better chance of getting burned.

3 As safe as any other. Performance and features are the downsides to cheapies. I like cheap tablets. They do what I want, and it isn't a tragedy if something happens to them.

This is my preferred repo for apps. Not a big selection, but they're all libre software with source code available.

http://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdpage=1

Hi,

Thank you for answering my questions and providing the link to the apps. Will no doubt root one of those cheap tablet when needed. And you are right, that is why I want to get the cheap tablet as start up so if anything happens, will not be too costly to replace the unit and high performance, while good to have, is not exactly required. Some cheap ones do boast of having Jelly Bean and able to access Google Play, but not certain if that is the truth.

It is off the topic a bit, but is there a brand that you might recommend that might work fairly well and can be rooted to Jelly Bean if needed?

Thank you.

 

[lxskllr]

It is off the topic a bit, but is there a brand that you might recommend that might work fairly well and can be rooted to Jelly Bean if needed?

Thank you.

Not off hand. I've gotten my last two tablets at BigLots, but you can't really go there looking for a specific item. They get stuff in, and it's gone in a little while. Every machine is different, including different units from the same manufacturer. You could try the gadgets forum here. Maybe someone knows something.

When I see a tablet on sale somewhere that looks like something I'd be interested in, I do a search of "root brand model#", and see what people have done with it. If it looks like a PITA to play with, I won't get it. Some machines can't really rooted, or will only give limited access. Almost anything can be done given enough time and motivation, but people aren't interested in moving the earth for a $100 computer. The pay off isn't big enough.

 

[Mem]

Hi all,

Not sure if I am posting in the right part of the forum. But I was eyeing those sub $200 tablet, such as Coby, China Mart, Machspeed, iRulu, and quite a few other brands, for a possible tablet of choice for few of the family members that are not that computer literate. So want to get couple, if possible, as start up unit(s). That way, they do not have to worry too much if messed those up. Most of them stated that they have Ice Cream Sandwich installed, some even stated to have Jelly Bean.

To keep it short, just wondering if anyone might know how safe and/or secure the Android OS on those might be? Because remembered that there were mention of one of Apple's device was shipped with malware or trojan. Cannot remember if that is true. But do wonder if Google's Android OS have some measures built in to prevent some companies from putting "bad" software onto the OS without user's knowledge and monitor, track, or steal data from the user's.

So guess what I am asking are 3 questions: 1) about the security of the Android OS, regardless to the version, on those devices, 2) if Google have some built in checks to prevent companies to put software onto the OS that might do harm, and 3) basically just how safe are those cheap brands.

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I use an Android tablet, just go to Google Play store and download TrustGo security(Free) ,very highly rated AV http://www.trustgo.com/en/ .
I use it on my smartphone and Android tablet.