Google Wallet is safer than using a credit card, Google claims. But with one quite major proviso: that you don't root your phone.
The big G is on the defensive after its wireless payments system (which isn't available in the UK yet, but is rumoured to launch before this summer's Olympics) was was hacked this week.
A team of developers at security site zvelo showed how the PIN verification system could easily be overridden on rooted Android phones. Things got worse for Google, as another report claimed thieves could access your Wallet credit by stealing your phone, clearing the data and reinstalling the app.
Now a post on the Google Commerce blog claims Wallet is safer than paying with plastic. "Google Wallet offers advantages over the plastic cards and folded wallets in use today," reads the post, by Osama Bedier, vice president, Google Wallet and Payments.
It strongly discourages tinkering with your device, as Wallet is not supported on rooted phones. "That's why in most cases, rooting your phone will cause your Google Wallet data to be automatically wiped from the device."
On the unauthorised use of prepaid cards from a stolen phone, Google said it has temporarily disabled provisioning of prepaid cards. This is apparently a precaution until it issues a permanent fix "soon." A free-phone number is provided if you need to call for help.
"Mobile payments are going to become more common in the coming years," it concludes, "and we will learn much more as we continue to develop Google Wallet. In the meantime, you can be confident that the digital wallet you carry provides defenses that plastic and leather simply don't."
Google Wallet launched in the US in May last year. The search giant is in talks with UK companies to carry out NFC (Near Field Communications) trials to the UK early this year, hinting it could launch this summer.
Are mobile payments the way forward? Or are you worried for your security? Let us know in the comments, or over on Facebook.
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Comments 10
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anonymous 12 February, 2012 12:06
Avoid the issue entirely by staying the hell away from Android. Just go iPhone, Windows Phone, Blackberry...or even Bada or Symbian instead.
Android = complete toss.
anonymous 12 February, 2012 13:55
good to hear a thorough and well reasoned argument. fact is it still offers the best range of phones for the best price with the best features and when nfc payments become the norm all microsoft and apple will implement it too.
anonymous = complete twat
iam a wp7 12 February, 2012 18:42
Haha Anonymous (1) you would rather have a bada, Symbian or blackberry device compared to an android phone?
i think there will be a few people put off buying an Android device if they can't root :(
Mugen13 12 February, 2012 21:38
@ anonymous 1
The phones you mentioned do not support this technology and fyi, this issue only affects rooted devices. When you assume superuser status by rooting you need to be (super-user-caliber). I have a nexus galaxy which of course is rooted and I am aware of this problem. Am I panicking? No. I am a responsible superuser, and I have an encryption which pretty much makes this hack very unlikely. So if you don't want to be expose just leave your standard rom, and then nothing will happen.
Mugen13 12 February, 2012 21:38
@ anonymous 1
PS.
I dint think you have an android phone anyways just a troll right?
anonymous 13 February, 2012 09:45
Yes, I'm trolling. If by trolling you mean expressing an opinion that I do geuinely hold.<br />
In terms of performance and stability, Android is the Windows Vista of the mobile OS world.<br />
<br />
@Anonymous 12/02/12 13:55 - Complete **** Nice. I disparage a mobile phone OS, you direct a personal insult at me. Classy. In the nicest possible way, I think you need to get a grip.<br />
It's JUST software, nothing more.<br />
Even if (worst case scenario) you're a guy that helped code it (unlikely), me calling it "toss" doesn't impact or affect you in any way. I've not dug up your great-grandmother and urinated on her corpse. I've insulted software that happens to be on your mobile telephone. To repeat, GET A GRIP.<br />
I use Windows Phone and I don't give a **** what people think/write/say about it. Perhaps you could follow that example?<br />
<br />
@I am a WP7: Yes. I would rather have a Bada/Blackberry/Symbian phone instead of another Android. Luckily (as I don't like Apple either) Windows Phone exists and I have a HTC Titan. And I'm happy.<br />
<br />
@Mugen13: You're right, none of those other OS support NFC...yet. That's okay, because it's not like every store on the High Street supports NFC yet either. I think there may be just a little leeway time, in terms of implementation. Apple are more than likely going to slap it on the next iPhone and MS will probably implement it in "Apollo".<br />
Also, I had an Android phone (Wildfire S in case you're wondering), didn't like it, eBayed it. Technically, your assumption was therefore correct... I don't have an Android phone, but I did have. Just a question of grammatical tense.
Alimus 13 February, 2012 10:09
@anon<br />
<br />
Regardless of your opinions, you do come across as a bit of a **** Wading into a comment section all forthright with nothing other than *your* opinion and no explanation as to why you hold that opinion, you should expect a response. Then throwing a hissy fit because someone called you out on it, just makes you seem like, well, a **** really.<br />
<br />
Also insulting Android does have an effect on people, by saying it's a load of toss you're devaluing other peoples decisions and deriding them for not making the same (and by implication correct) decision you made.<br />
<br />
Back to the point though I really don't think this makes much of a difference, if someone finds your phone what are the chances they're going to be able to exploit this (as in have the requisite knowledge etc.). At the end of the day it's still a damn sight safer than carrying cash around with you. <br />
<br />
The main effect it will have is actually in undermining consumer confidence in the technology, my girlfriend already swears she will never use mobile payments because it "isn't safe", and these kind of stories will only compund that fear which could hold these types of schemes back.<br />
<br />
Oh and as a final note BB7 supports NFC and these are several BB phones out now with NFC chips in them, although I don't believe there is a payment system that has been or is being developed for it yet.
anonymous 13 February, 2012 11:50
On topic, you do make a valid point about confidence in NFC technology being key. Personally I'd rather pay by NFC than by cash (more for convenience sake than security concerns over carrying cash). If this early, teething issue (which I'm sure would be quickly addressed by Google) only affects rooted handsets, then the majority of Android users would surely be unaffected?<br />
However, I recognise that mud sticks and details can get "blurred", so it only takes one mainstream media outlet to 'paraphrase' this story and put that early initial dent in NFC confidence.<br />
<br />
(Okay, so I was just basically repeating what you were saying Alimus, but I didn't want to just leave this thread at that, nor inflame it any further. Contrary to what you're DEFINITELY thinking, I'm not a bit of a ****. Honestly! I just get passionate about the things that have given me a negative experience. I don't believe that anyone reading this is genuinely aggrieved over my opinion nor feels that their decision to use Android is now worth a little less than it was, all because I don't like it [after all, who am I? what's my opinion worth?] but if that is the case, I'm sorry. I'll NEVER like Android though and my comments in this thread don't even begin to hint at my revulsion for it).
anonymous 19 February, 2012 23:22
Hi there folks, would just like to say anonymous # 1, I totally agree with you !! android is toss ha ha.
anonymous 1 March, 2012 07:12
Ok nfc is a great thing will help consumers and small businesses as well as charities. Gurpreet