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Is it possible to allow sideloading and keep users safe?

(shkspr.mobi)
205 points ColinWright | 2 comments | 30 Aug 25 12:03 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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m463 ◴[31 Aug 25 05:39 UTC] No.45080628[source]▶
"sideloading" connotates something that is negative.

On systems before apple's locked-down iphone, it was just called "installing".

The PC revolution started with people just inserting their software into the comptuer and running it. You didn't have to ask the computer manufacturer or the OS vendor permission to do it.

And note that apple doesn't allow you to protect yourself. You cannot install a firewall and block arbitrary software on your phone. For example, you can not block apple telemetry.

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pjmlp ◴[31 Aug 25 06:01 UTC] No.45080727[source]▶
Which is why alongside freedom came the business of anti-virus.
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wiseowise ◴[31 Aug 25 07:39 UTC] No.45081201[source]▶
Never in 20 years of using Linux/Macs I’ve ever needed anti-virus.
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BLKNSLVR ◴[31 Aug 25 11:08 UTC] No.45082263{3}[source]▶
Same with me for Linux, but I would also say that, with the discipline and knowledge I have had for the last 10-15 years I probably wouldn't need anti-virus for Windows either.
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thebruce87m ◴[31 Aug 25 12:20 UTC] No.45082624{4}[source]▶
Discipline and knowledge cannot protect against 0-click attacks.
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1. rcxdude ◴[01 Sep 25 11:30 UTC] No.45091825{5}[source]▶
antivirus won't generally do much for those either.
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2. thebruce87m ◴[01 Sep 25 17:21 UTC] No.45094654[source]▶
If your system is infected you may know after the fact, which is better than never knowing.