Certain app categories are garnering more risk

Certain mobile app categories can put consumers and companies at a higher risk.

 

According to a new study of more than 200,000 Android apps, there’s a good chance you’ve downloaded an app that will put you at risk – despite how diligent you are about security. 

 

The Mobile App Threat Report, conducted by Marble Labs, categorized apps to determine their level of risk. They pointed out that mobile threats are not only about malware – they come from advertising agencies and hackers’ servers.

 

Researchers took a look at how apps functioned, the permissions they requested, the data they accessed and if they tapped into network locations, using interaction to evaluate how much of a threat level each contained and came away with three findings:

 

  1. Simple apps can be risky: Even that wallpaper you downloaded can put your data in jeopardy. Because these apps, as well as business productivity apps, are advertising-based they can pose more risks.
  2. Social media apps pose the most risks: More than 100 social media apps showed behavior similar to malware. They have the potential to expose consumers to data loss and account takeover.
  3. Communication apps are also risky: Communication apps, like Skype, can pose significant threats because they mine your contact databases.  

 

Protect yourself by being careful about what apps you download. What steps do you take to secure your mobile data?  

 

Photo from: blog.devry.edu 

 
 

Tech Speculation: Wearables

Just in the last year, health and fitness trackers, such as the popular Fitbit One, Jawbone Up, and Nike Fuelband have flooded the market. Depending on the model, these fitness trackers allow for a user to wear a small fob or bracelet that counts steps and even tracks sleep. At the end of the day, the user can plug in or sync the device with his or her smartphone, integrating the information with an application. Within the interface, users can see step progressions throughout the day, set movement and exercise goals, and even compare results with others.

 

Similar technologies, such as pedometers and wearable heart rate monitors, have seen varied popularity throughout the years, but have typically been used by fitness enthusiasts. However, accessibility and ease of use allows for more and more people to be able to tie data to movement and sleep patterns.

 

Wearables that deliver data in the health world have been used for sometime, but with the advancement of wearable and mobile technology, fitness trackers will only become more advanced and integrated with an everyday lifestyle. Doctors will be able to keep real-time tabs on patient’s health outside of the hospital or clinic, monitoring health-related habits and trends of which patients may not even be aware. When something is out of the ordinary, a notification or email could be sent to remind the patient to simply get more exercise, consume less sodium throughout the week, or come in for a checkup. Easy-to-interpret data will simply be delivered automatically Instead of a doctor guessing to see if information recited from patients is accurate. From a patient’s perspective, advancement in medical related wearables will result in health transparency. Application simply downloaded to smartphones will deliver easy to understand statistics and doctor’s recommendations based on past performance.  

 

The future of wearable technology monitering daily health on an in-depth level is right around the corner. In the meantime, start tracking your health patterns with all the different options on the market today!  

 

Image from telegraph.co.uk

 
 

New study: global mHealth market to reach $49 billion by year 2020

A new study from Grand Review Research has found that the global mHealth market is expected to grow to $49 billion by the year 2020. The market – valued at $1.95 billion in 2012 – is expected to grow 47.6 percent annually during this timeframe. 

 

With North America accounting for 33.5 percent of total revenue in 2012, Grand View Research believes that Australia, India, Japan and China are the next markets expected to gain significant traction.  Growth in this sector is anticipated to continue because of the increase in 3G and 4G networks and an increased aging population within the global market. 

 

Monitoring services are expected to be the fastest growing sector of mHealth, according to Grand View Research.  In 2012, monitoring services totaled 63 percent of market share and reached $12.27 billion in revenue. 

As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, the challenge this market will face will be keeping user’s privacy of their personal information.  

 

Image from vccafe.com 

 
 

The state of mHealth in 2014

Data from the 3rd Annual HIMSS Analytics mobile survey, which looked at the use of mobile devices as they related to six areas of the mHIMSS roadmap, has been developed into an infographic. The biggest takeaways from this are the high percentages of those implementing or developing a mobile technology plan as well as the high percentage of data that is password protected.  Do you find these statistics promising for the future of mHealth? 

 

 

 
 

NBA players are embracing wearable mHealth technologies

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is set to become the first American sports league to provide their players with wearable health and activity monitors.

 

The devices will be worn by the NBA’s Development League during practices and on the court during games. The Bakersfield Jam and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants have already been equipped with these devices, with 20 other teams expected to be outfitted by the end of the season. 

 

According to MobiHealthNews, Grantland is reporting that these devices will weigh about an ounce and will be worn under their jerseys. They will be either attached to the players’ chests or will be located in a jersey pouch between the shoulder blades of players. The data will provide teams with the opportunity to maximize on-court productivity as well as track player health and peak performance. 

 

image from www.zephyranywhere.com

 

During the NBA Tech Summit earlier this month, Dallas Mavericks owner and mobile health entrepreneur Mark Cuban, along with Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley discussed the devices.  While they may not have agreed on how to use the stats, they all agree that these devices have a health value.