According to Wayne Rash, a veteran IT and communications commentator, who dates back to the days of Byte magazine in the 1980s, whilst the freedom that makes Android-based devices so attractive also makes them a malware threat, the threat actually highlights the risk that all smartphones pose to corporate IT systems.
Rash's comments come as Google has quietly informed all its licensees that it will no longer allow customised versions of Android for smartphones, Infosecurity notes.
And it's against this backdrop that Rash says that it is important to understand that Android devices are not alone in their security vulnerabilities.
Rash argues that security matters are a little simpler with Apple, Research in Motion and Microsoft.
"Apple has its application store locked down, and iOS users can't just go elsewhere to get an application. It's similar with RIM, although it's possible for third parties to develop applications (including malware) that aren't delivered through RIM's market", he says in his latest eWeek column.
"Microsoft Windows Phone 7 is so new that the whole application-store ecosystem isn't really fully developed. However, if the WP7 practice follows past practice, you won't be limited to just Microsoft's application store", he adds.
Rash goes on to say that, against this backdrop, users should be careful about what information they store on their smartphones.
For example, he says, you should not store credit card numbers on your device for any reason, as most malware seems to be key to locating these numbers and relaying them to cybercriminals.
"Likewise, limit your use of online banking on your smartphone. While the malware that shows up most often doesn't currently seem to include keylogging, there's nothing to prevent it", he says.
"Finally, if you can find a good encryption package that you're willing to use, then use it. Malware can't do much with encrypted data, and neither can someone who might find your phone if you lose it. Remember that malware isn't the only threat to your phone's data, and it may not be the biggest threat; smartphones are lost all the time, and when that happens, your data is at risk", he adds.