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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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