Cellular Network and Smartphone Application Security Research Paper

Cellular Network and Smartphone Application Security - Research Paper Example Numerous applications present in smart phones have raised new security questions. Security is a prime requirement for users today and therefore users should be knowledgeable about their vulnerability to attacks. Types of Cellular Networks 2G Stands for second generation wireless telephone technology it’s known as Personal Communications Service, or PCS, in the United States. 2G technologies can be broadly divided into  TDMA-based, FDMA-based and  CDMA-based standards. Compared to previous 1G networks that were analogue, 2G offered digital encryption and started the data service for cell phones including text messages. Digital signals allowed effective data compression and multiplexing while reducing the emission of radio power. Enhanced security decreased the incidences of frauds. 2G is also a cell phone network protocol .Their features included voice mail, caller ID, Conference calling and simple web applications like web browsing and email. Some modifications in 2G led t o the evolution of 2.5G and 2.75G that account for the transition to 3G. 2.5G has a circuit switch domain and included MMS technology along with GPRS. 2.75G technology enables improved data transmission rates by virtue of being an extension on top of standard GSM hence performed better than its predecessors 2G and 2.5G. 3G Third generation succeeded the GSM standards. It provided great speed to browse through WebPages, play 3D games, download or stream full motion music videos. Verizon Wireless was the first to introduce 3G services in 2005.3G was accompanied by increase bandwidth, and greater support for diverse applications by the inclusion of packet-switched data with spectral efficiency at greater speeds. There are two 3G families 3GPP and 3GPP2. 3GPP was formed to foster deployment of 3G networks that came from GSM. Deployment GPRS and EDGE began in 2000 and 2003 respectively. These technologies are defined by IMT-2000.IMT2000 stands for International mobile telecommunications while 2000 means it was launched in 2000 had data rates of 2000 Kbp and frequency range of 2000 MHz. 3GPP2 was introduced to help operators using CDMA2000 to move to 3G. 3.5G was introduced with cable speeds and its added features include faster browsing of graphic intensive site and on demand videos.    4G Fourth generation refers to fourth-generation wireless that overtakes the 3G technology. What really constitutes 4G is not yet defined but 4G networks are distinguished by their use of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) rather than (TDMA) or (CDMA) even though carriers are divided on whether to use (LTE) or WiMAX. ITU standards claim that 4G network should allow exchange of data at 100 Mbit/sec whereas 3G’s speeds can be as low as 3.84 Mbit/sec. As expected 4G is faster than all previous generations. Technologies that enhance coverage like Femtocell  and  Picocell  are being developed to support 4G technology. LTE (Long-term-evolution) –It use s additional spectrum and multiplexing enhancing speeds which are10 times faster than 3G.The lag time has also reduced delay increasing the responsiveness of buffering. It is known for its high quality Voice-over-IP (VoIP).It is believed that songs can be downloaded within 4 seconds and photos uploaded in 6 seconds. Most of the smart phones support 4G LTE and it is available in more than 175 cities. WiFi WiFi provides wireless connectivity. It uses 802.11 radio technologies providing a fast and secure