'Bit9' has reported that the manufacturers of 'Dirty Dozen' smart phone do not release the security updates for operating system of the phone. This will be a problem for the users.

On account of the malware threat to the Android operating system, the phones with that operating system are considered to be the 12 susceptible devices. This means that security and privacy are at risk. In terms of personal and corporate security, iPhone stands ahead of others.

Every smartphone user knows that, safety is a must especially while online

The 'Samsung Galaxy mini' is the safest, followed by 'HTC Desire' and 'Sony Ericsson
Xperia X10' in that order. 'iPhone 4' takes the 13th spot.

Bit9 has learnt that 56% of Android Phones are with the old, insecure version of the operating system.

Smartphone manufacturers like HTC, Samsung and LG incorporate earlier version of the operating system in their devices. The customers do not get the update regularly. When new phones are launched, the older customers are simply forgotten.

In the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) work culture, the customers are using the phone for personal and commercial uses. These devices are subject to attack.

Important Android security updates are not distributed to the consumers for months together. It is the responsibility of the manufacturers and mobile companies and not of the developers.

The customer who buys a PC from Dell expects Dell to provide the Windows update through Microsoft. He cannot expect Dell to arrange it through the service provider. It is as simple as that.

It is essential that the manufacturers must be pressurized to arrange for the updates at the appropriate time without fail. The consumers and the concerned authorities together should do it. The only other solution is that the manufacturers could renounce the control of the operating system software update.

The commercial establishments should also realize that the inclination of BYOD will put all the data at risk.

However, the task is not simple.

There is no need to say that something has to be done seriously for the security of the operating system in view of the alarming rise of the malware.

The open source nature of Android seems to be good, but it must be protected. The Manufacturers do not take the responsibility of providing security updates probably because it involves expenditures for them.

The responsibility must lie not merely with the user but with the manufacturers of the operating system as well.