diff options
author | Adrian Ludwig <aludwig@google.com> | 2011-09-21 15:38:55 -0700 |
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committer | Adrian Ludwig <aludwig@google.com> | 2011-09-28 12:57:09 -0700 |
commit | 4caa0d72ebc935a3dbb3da6cf6d0877a251cd032 (patch) | |
tree | 49d517b1303eb66025663a5b53831775df9b44ae /docs | |
parent | faa75f6146165016685291084ca79ddd377411b4 (diff) | |
download | frameworks_base-4caa0d72ebc935a3dbb3da6cf6d0877a251cd032.zip frameworks_base-4caa0d72ebc935a3dbb3da6cf6d0877a251cd032.tar.gz frameworks_base-4caa0d72ebc935a3dbb3da6cf6d0877a251cd032.tar.bz2 |
Update existing security FAQ and Developer Overview
Change-Id: I9102a92908a8ebe314f83638569d0257dcfe3d45
Diffstat (limited to 'docs')
-rw-r--r-- | docs/html/guide/topics/security/security.jd | 25 | ||||
-rw-r--r-- | docs/html/resources/faq/security.jd | 84 |
2 files changed, 55 insertions, 54 deletions
diff --git a/docs/html/guide/topics/security/security.jd b/docs/html/guide/topics/security/security.jd index 2e31940..1fd9ba0 100644 --- a/docs/html/guide/topics/security/security.jd +++ b/docs/html/guide/topics/security/security.jd @@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ page.title=Security and Permissions </ol> </div> </div> +<p>This document describes how application developers can use the +security features provided by Android. A more general <a +href="http://source.android.com/tech/security/index.html"> Android Security +Overview</a> is provided in the Android Open Source Project.</p> <p>Android is a privilege-separated operating system, in which each application runs with a distinct system identity (Linux user ID and group @@ -41,7 +45,7 @@ includes reading or writing the user's private data (such as contacts or e-mails), reading or writing another application's files, performing network access, keeping the device awake, etc.</p> -<p>Because the kernel sandboxes applications from each other, applications +<p>Because Android sandboxes applications from each other, applications must explicitly share resources and data. They do this by declaring the <em>permissions</em> they need for additional capabilities not provided by the basic sandbox. Applications statically declare the permissions they @@ -50,11 +54,11 @@ application is installed. Android has no mechanism for granting permissions dynamically (at run-time) because it complicates the user experience to the detriment of security.</p> -<p>The kernel is solely responsible for sandboxing applications from each -other. In particular the Dalvik VM is not a security boundary, and any app -can run native code (see <a href="/sdk/ndk/index.html">the Android NDK</a>). -All types of applications — Java, native, and hybrid — are -sandboxed in the same way and have the same degree of security from each +<p>The application sandbox does not depend on the technology used to build +an application. In particular the Dalvik VM is not a security boundary, and +any app can run native code (see <a href="/sdk/ndk/index.html">the Android +NDK</a>). All types of applications — Java, native, and hybrid — +are sandboxed in the same way and have the same degree of security from each other.</p> <a name="signing"></a> @@ -220,12 +224,13 @@ permission:</p> </pre> <p>You can look at the permissions currently defined in the system with the -shell command <code>adb shell pm list permissions</code>. In particular, -the '-s' option displays the permissions in a form roughly similar to how the -user will see them:</p> +Settings app and the shell command <code>adb shell pm list permissions</code>. +To use the Settings app, go to Settings > Applications. Pick an app and +scroll down to see the permissions that the app uses. For developers, the adb '-s' +option displays the permissions in a form similar to how the user will see them:</p> <pre> -$ adb shell pm list permissions -s +$ adb shell pm list permissions -s All Permissions: Network communication: view Wi-Fi state, create Bluetooth connections, full diff --git a/docs/html/resources/faq/security.jd b/docs/html/resources/faq/security.jd index b0d832b..52ee0d9 100644 --- a/docs/html/resources/faq/security.jd +++ b/docs/html/resources/faq/security.jd @@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ parent.link=index.html <li><a href="#secure">Is Android Secure?</a></li> <li><a href="#issue">I think I found a security flaw. How do I report it?</a></li> - <li><a href="#informed">How can I stay informed of Android security - announcements?</a></li> + <li><a href="#informed">How can I stay informed about Android security?</a></li> <li><a href="#use">How do I securely use my Android phone?</a></li> <li><a href="#malware">I think I found malicious software being distributed for Android. How can I help?</a></li> @@ -26,9 +25,15 @@ Android Open Source Project. We are dedicated to building and maintaining one of the most secure mobile platforms available while still fulfilling our goal of opening the mobile device space to innovation and competition.</p> -<p>The Android Platform provides a rich <a +<p> A comprehensive overview of the <a +href="http://source.android.com/tech/security/index.html">Android +security model and Android security processes</a> is provided in the Android +Open Source Project Website.</p> + +<p>Application developers play an important part in the security of Android. +The Android Platform provides developers with a rich <a href="http://code.google.com/android/devel/security.html">security model</a> -that allows developers to request the capabilities, or access, needed by their +that to request the capabilities, or access, needed by their application and to define new capabilities that other applications can request. The Android user can choose to grant or deny an application's request for certain capabilities on the handset.</p> @@ -49,27 +54,17 @@ can protect your message using our <a href="http://code.google.com/android/security_at_android_dot_com.txt">PGP key</a>.</p> -<p>We appreciate researchers practicing responsible disclosure by emailing us -with a detailed summary of the issue and keeping the issue confidential while +<p>We appreciate researchers practicing responsible disclosure by emailing us +with a detailed summary of the issue and keeping the issue confidential while users are at risk. In return, we will make sure to keep the researcher informed of our progress in issuing a fix and will properly credit the reporter(s) when -we announce the patch. We will always move swiftly to mitigate or fix an -externally-reported flaw and will publicly announce the fix once patches are -available to users.</p> - +we provide the patch. We will always move swiftly to mitigate or fix an +externally-reported flaw and provide updates to users. </p> -<a name="informed" id="informed"></a><h2>How can I stay informed of Android -security announcements?</h2> -<p>An important part of sustainably securing a platform, such as, Android is -keeping the user and security community informed of bugs and fixes. We will -publicly announce security bugs when the fixes are available via postings to -the <a -href="http://groups.google.com/group/android-security-announce">android-security-announce</a> -group on Google Groups. You can subscribe to this group as you would a mailing -list and view the archives here.</p> +<a name="informed" id="informed"></a><h2>How can I stay informed about Android security?</h2> -<p>For more general discussion of Android platform security, or how to use +<p>For general discussion of Android platform security, or how to use security features in your Android application, please subscribe to <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/android-security-discuss">android-security-discuss</a>. </p> @@ -77,35 +72,39 @@ href="http://groups.google.com/group/android-security-discuss">android-security- <a name="use" id="use"></a><h2>How do I securely use my Android phone?</h2> -<p>As an open platform, Android allows users to load software from any -developer onto a device. As with a home PC, the user must be +<p>Android was designed so that you can safely use your phone without making +any changes to the device or installing any special software. Android applications +run in an Application Sandbox that limits access to sensitive information or data +with the users permission.</p> + +<p>To fully benefit from the security protections in Android, it is important that +users only download and install software from known sources.</p> + +<p>As an open platform, Android allows users to visit any website and load +software from any developer onto a device. As with a home PC, the user must be aware of who is providing the software they are downloading and must decide whether they want to grant the application the capabilities it requests. This decision can be informed by the user's judgment of the software developer's trustworthiness, and where the software came from.</p> -<p>Despite the security protections in Android, it is important -for users to only download and install software from developers they trust. -More details on how Android users can make smart security decisions will be -released when consumer devices become available.</p> - <a name="malware" id="malware"></a><h2>I think I found malicious software being distributed for Android. How can I help?</h2> -<p>Like any other open platform, it will be possible for unethical developers +<p>Like any other platform, it will be possible for unethical developers to create malicious software, known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware">malware</a>, for Android. If you -think somebody is trying to spread malware, please let us know at <a +think somebody is trying to spread malware, please let us know at <a href="mailto:security@android.com">security@android.com</a>. Please include as much detail about the application as possible, with the location it is being distributed from and why you suspect it of being malicious software.</p> -<p>The term <i>malicious software</i> is subjective, and we cannot make an +<p>The term <i>malicious software</i> is subjective, and we cannot make an exhaustive definition. Some examples of what the Android Security Team believes to be malicious software is any application that: <ul> - <li>drains the device's battery very quickly;</li> + <li>uses a bug or security vulnerability to gain permissions that have not + been granted by the user</li> <li>shows the user unsolicited messages (especially messages urging the user to buy something);</li> <li>resists (or attempts to resist) the user's effort to uninstall it;</li> @@ -122,7 +121,7 @@ to be malicious software is any application that: </p> -<a name="fixes" id="fixes"></a><h2>How will Android-powered devices receive security +<a name="fixes" id="fixes"></a><h2>How do Android-powered devices receive security fixes?</h2> <p>The manufacturer of each device is responsible for distributing software @@ -130,27 +129,24 @@ upgrades for it, including security fixes. Many devices will update themselves automatically with software downloaded "over the air", while some devices require the user to upgrade them manually.</p> -<p>When Android-powered devices are publicly available, this FAQ will provide links how -Open Handset Alliance members release updates.</p> +<p>Google provides software updates for a number of Android devices, including +the <a href="http://www.google.com/nexus">Nexus</a> +series of devices, using an "over the air" (OTA) update. These updates may include +security fixes as well as new features.</p> <a name="directfix" id="directfix"></a><h2>Can I get a fix directly from the Android Platform Project?</h2> -<p>Android is a mobile platform that will be released as open source and -available for free use by anybody. This means that there will be many -Android-based products available to consumers, and most of them will be created +<p>Android is a mobile platform that is released as open source and +available for free use by anybody. This means that there are many +Android-based products available to consumers, and most of them are created without the knowledge or participation of the Android Open Source Project. Like the maintainers of other open source projects, we cannot build and release patches for the entire ecosystem of products using Android. Instead, we will work diligently to find and fix flaws as quickly as possible and to distribute -those fixes to the manufacturers of the products.</p> - -<p>In addition, We will add security fixes to the open source distribution of -Android and publicly announce the changes on <a -href="http://groups.google.com/group/android-security-announce">android-security-announce</a>. -</p> +those fixes to the manufacturers of the products through the open source project.</p> -<p>If you are making an Android-powered device and would like to know how you can +<p>If you are making an Android-powered device and would like to know how you can properly support your customers by keeping abreast of software updates, please contact us at <a href="mailto:info@openhandsetalliance.com">info@openhandsetalliance.com</a>.</p> |