Understanding Mobile Apps and Related Permissions for Android Platform

Abstract

There are different categories within mobile applications based on the platform and code. Native apps are designed for a single platform whereas web apps are developed to support multiple platforms. Cross platform apps are designed for specific set of OS and features. Every type of app needs a range of permissions at the OS level to execute the operations of the app. When the app is installed on any device, user has to allow these permissions before start using the app. Many times users are not aware of the permission and meaning of that permission. Some apps are constantly connected to the Internet, and can upload the personal data-such as private photos or documents-to a remote server without knowledge or consent of the user. While iOS users can generally depend on Apple's app-curating process to keep their data safe, Android users pretty much have to fend for themselves, left to rely on a cryptic system that doesn't seem to be working. According to Joe Keehnast, a product manager for Norton, very few people actually look through an app's permissions before installing it. Even if you were to read through the alert, you may not come away with much information: The permissions list can be extremely unclear and unhelpful. Security is big concern in allowing apps and related permissions if user don't know the exact meaning of the permission. Android apps need permissions in order to work. However, cybercriminals can exploit them for their personal gain. This paper focuses on understanding different types of apps and related permissions.