The latest version of Google's Android operating system, version 4.4, known as KitKat and released last week, includes a slew of changes: a streamlined footprint so it can run on devices with scant RAM, better animations and graphics acceleration, plus snappier device-wide search and a new phone dialer app. But what's new on the information security front?

According to Google's developer overview, KitKat packs in "dozens of security enhancements to protect users," meaning bug fixes, plus an experimental boot verification feature, and a better sandbox. Those features, plus the patches, have already been shared with handset manufacturers, carriers, and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

Based on teardowns of that code, here's a rundown of the Android security changes -- including why they're important, and what they'll offer users -- as well as one glaring omission:

Read all about it on Information Week.

— Mathew J. Schwartz, Information Week