Author: Eric Everson
Whether you are an iPhone user, a Droid user, or a user of any number of new app-compatible handsets, you should be weary of exactly what’s hiding in that app. A term like “Trojan Virus” is nothing new to computer users, but increasingly this type of attack is moving into the mobile environment.
As a mobile security expert, I realize that too few app developers are willing to sacrifice the performance of their apps by adding additional security measures. This reluctance to build-in security protocols has set the stage for a serious level of vulnerability. Having worked in mobile software development myself, I understand that building in certain security features can introduce very noticeable performance hurdles, which is not something that independent app developers want to earn a reputation for.
The mobile app development community is actually still very small and has yet to become dominated by huge corporate interests, so what we have are often developers that often do not have the means to support developing a mobile app and managing a slew of security features therein. As some have admitted, it’s easier to just forget about security all together and let the user worry about their own handset-level security. As the app-driven future of wireless is quickly taking shape, it is again the handset user that must shoulder their own level of security.
At MyMobiSafe.com we are working hard to introduce a new solution for mobile app developers to help tackle this problem, but it will be early next year before we are able to unveil this development. In the interim, mobile users need to think twice before downloading that new app to their handset if they do not already have a mobile security solution on their handset. For many years we as a wireless global community have wrestled with the idea of paying for security software for our handsets. As a digital security consultant, this is a fascinating issue because when I ask most people if they would run their computers without a security solution I always get a resounding “NO!” Why is your phone any different? It packs pretty incredible processing power in its own right and in many cases carries more proprietary data than your own computer.
This time of year, mobile gifts are hugely popular, from new apps to new iPhones to run the apps, the future of the app-driven wireless industry is taking shape each day. As an app user myself, I get it! Apps are fun! More importantly they make life easier! Just use caution and look for reviews (especially security related reviews) pertaining to the apps that you want to download. Looking forward, mobile apps are here to stay; just start being a little more protective of your handset before you download them (especially the free/cheap ones!). You do not want to invite a “Trojan Virus” into your app phone.
About the Author: Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of the U.S.-based MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com.
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