ESET launches a new blog aimed at insecure Android apps
March 2019, Cyber Security
During the 2019 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ESET unveiled a new blog named Android App Watch to help Android users protect themselves against insecure applications.
“Insecurely developed apps, those that put their users’ privacy or money at risk are a growing problem. On one hand, such apps don’t qualify as malware and thus cannot be blocked by security solutions. On the other, the risk they pose may still be severe,” says Lukáš Štefanko, the ESET security researcher driving the project.
Typical examples of security risks associated with apps that are otherwise non-malicious are in app vulnerabilities or on their back-end servers, unencrypted communications between the app and its server, leaking sensitive information and data, bypassing app protection mechanisms, remote code execution or even SQL injection.
Ultimately, insecure apps are much harder to protect, while being no less of a threat. A poll organized by Štefanko via his Twitter handle, shows that users are aware of this. Of over 3200 participants, 78% think mobile users should be more afraid of insecurely developed apps, compared to the remaining 22% who think malware is a more significant threat.
Since insecure apps cannot be blocked by security solutions, it is up to users to protect themselves. The problem is that from the user perspective, it is hard to tell an insecure app from a secure one. No clear rules apply here because apps come in too many forms and flavors to fit into simple criteria or patterns.
What can help in such a situation is a healthy level of suspicion based on general knowledge about how apps are developed, what their business models are and what the overall Android ecosystem looks like.
The primary goal for the Android App Watch blog is to provide users with information and insight in order to make the right choices about their Android apps. Besides warning users about insecure apps and bad practices in the industry, the Android App Watch is also designed to help app developers.
“Before we publish our findings, we report them to the app’s developer, along with advice on how to fix them. Then we wait for the fix and evaluate it to see if it solves the problem,” explains Štefanko.
The ESET Android App Watch blog can be found at https://androidappwatch.eset.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Further reading:
- Halt, who goes there?
March 2019, Technews Publishing, Wolfpack Information Risk, This Week's Editor's Pick, Cyber Security
As long as organisations treat their physical and cyber domains as separate, there is little hope of securing either one.
- IoT is convergence in action
March 2019, Gijima Electronic and Security Systems (GESS), NEC XON, Technews Publishing, Axiz, G4S South Africa, This Week's Editor's Pick, Cyber Security, Integrated Solutions, IT infrastructure
The Internet of Things gains more than enough attention these days, but the IoT demonstrates the reality of the convergence between the physical and cyber worlds, and physical security is part of it.
- Stop hacking of access control systems
March 2019, This Week's Editor's Pick, Access Control & Identity Management, Cyber Security
Think someone hacking your access control system not a big deal? Scott Lindley suggests that you think again.
- New cybersecurity pavilion for Securex 2019
March 2019, Securex South Africa , This Week's Editor's Pick, Cyber Security, News, Conferences & Events, Training & Education
Securex South Africa 2019 has announced that 4Sight Technologies, a subsidiary of an international holdings company focusing on investing in Industry 4.0 companies, has signed on as the official sponsor ...
- Security by design
March 2019, Johnson Controls, Cyber Security, Integrated Solutions
The security of the platforms on which physical security products are built will increasingly impact purchase decisions and market positions.
- A logical solution for cyber solutions
March 2019, Suprema, Cyber Security, Access Control & Identity Management, Products
BioMini Slim 2 is a thin, FBI PIV and FBI Mobile ID certified FAP20 optical scanner with a large platen for easy capturing of fingerprints.
- Managed IT security solution
March 2019, Cyber Security, IT infrastructure, Products
The LanDynamix fully managed IT security stack ensures that all the main attack vectors typically used by hackers to breach a network are protected and proactively monitored.
- Top five security trends to look out for in 2019
March 2019, Genetec, CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring, Cyber Security
From the continued focus on cybersecurity to the acquisition of global players, Genetec highlights the top five security trends to look forward to in 2019.
- Cyber Risk 101
March 2019, Cyber Security
What every business needs to know about protecting themselves in case of a cyber-attack.
- Securing IoT, step by step
March 2019, IT infrastructure, Cyber Security
Kaspersky Lab joins forces with industry leaders to deliver actionable technical guidance for multiple IoT stakeholders.
- How to spot if your password was stolen in a security breach
March 2019, Cyber Security
This article will tell you how to find out if your email address or password has been stolen and to check if passwords you are choosing are secure or not.
- The legalities of the digital signature
March 2019, This Week's Editor's Pick, Cyber Security, Security Services & Risk Management
Electronic signatures and digital signatures differ significantly; it is critical that organisations recognise the legal implications of the electronic signature and the risk of fraud.
|
|
