On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 6:05 AM, Disconnect <[email protected]> wrote:

> The only difference between this and the
> microsoft attempt is that android doesn't pop it up as often, and doesn't
> allow you to say no. (That, personally, is still where I think it is

Microsoft Windows Vista/7 UAC Prompt:

* tells you the name of the app that will run
* the app will run as Administrator (total power)
* pops up all the time; usually but not always when it makes sense/is expected

Android Install-time Permission Declaration Prompt:

* tells you the name of the app and all the powers it wants
* the app will run as a distinct non-root UID and have no special
powers other than those declared
* pops up once, so you only have to make the decision once

I think those are pretty significant differences.

>From a usability perspective, one of the key things wrong with
so-called "dialog" boxes is that they interrupt the user's workflow.
If the task is to send an email, a "dialog" box asking you about HTML
vs. plaintext formatting is an interruption: The user thought they
clicked "Send", but instead they got asked about data formats. UAC is
not completely in this bad place, but it kind of is.

I think Android's permission screen is a bit better: It's asking users
a material question about the task at hand, and it only occurs during
that task. "Here is some relevant information about the app you want
to install. Still cool?"

> lacking. There is no way for a user - power user or grandmother - to say
> "this app should not be able to wake up in the middle of the night and get
> my gps location".)

Settings > Location & security > Use GPS satellites
Settings > Location & security > Use wireless networks

Uncheck those before you go to sleep.

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Android Security Discussions" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at 
http://groups.google.com/group/android-security-discuss?hl=en.

Reply via email to