If you have an iPhone, you probably worry about mobile data leakage. However, most leaks are accidental or caused by bad data security practices. These leaks also go by the name of low and slow data theft. These kinds of leaks are potentially devastating for any organization, as the damages they cause can range from a decreased income to a damaged reputation to enormous financial penalties. In some extreme cases, data leakage can lead to catastrophic lawsuits.
Moreover, many organisations don’t think corporate devices are solely used for work-related purposes. Rather, employees use corporate devices to access news, video, and social media. Therefore, organisations should focus more on mobile data security and leaks than on data allowances. Fortunately, there are several solutions to mobile data leakage. Listed below are some of these solutions. In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the most common ones.
Unintentional mobile data leakage occurs when mobile apps use sensitive information. So-called “riskware” apps pose a real threat to mobile users. These apps typically perform their advertised functions but send users’ personal data to a remote server. This data can then be harvested by cybercriminals and advertisers. Hostile enterprise-signed mobile applications also cause data leakage. Mobile malware programs use native distribution code to move valuable data across corporate networks.
Moreover, mobile data leakage can be caused by malicious apps that are installed in the device. For example, malicious applications may be installed on a smartphone with the intention to steal confidential information. A mobile user may not even be aware of the dangers of these apps. For such a user, it is critical to safeguard all of his mobile devices and the data contained within. Then, the malware can steal that information and use it to commit fraud.
One of the most common types of data leak is from apps that share the location of the user. Apps such as Strava can cause a leak of PII. The app uses the GPS data from fitness tracking devices to share users’ running routes. These data can be used by hackers to target employees. Moreover, the threat of mobile data leaks is even greater than traditional breaches. As per the report, the cost of a traditional data breach is $7 million.
To prevent this, developers should adhere to the guidelines and rules imposed by Google for Play Store applications. It is advisable to update an application regularly and invest in quality affirmation. These precautions can help in preventing data leakage in android applications. The latest guidelines have been published by Google, making mobile app developers take steps to make sure their apps are not leaking personal information. They should also make sure their applications are not infected with malware.
Besides, a mobile device is a portable enterprise. With it, employees can access the corporate network, business applications, and enterprise data from anywhere. But a mobile device is always a risk, whether it is lost or stolen. There are also the risks of an employee downloading a strategic plan or downloading information from a unsecured network. This means that organizations need to implement effective security policies to prevent data leakage and keep employees safe.
The biggest concern with mobile data leakage is the leaking of personal information through the use of apps. Cybercriminals can also overhear the IMSI numbers of mobile phones to profile users and harvest sensitive information. Even worse, they can use stolen mobile devices to report their theft, which could trigger a provider’s response. The risk of data leakage is a serious concern for businesses, and app developers need to protect their users from such risks.
Besides unauthorized apps, mobile data leakage can also occur from the use of unapproved apps. Users often install apps from third-party sites that offer convenience, but which secretly upload their personal data to cybercriminals. Only 3% of organizations restrict app installation, and a recent Wall Street Journal study found that 11 5 percent of apps transmit location data, device ID, and personal data to unauthorized parties. While this study focused on consumer applications, it points to the dependence of a corporate network on mobile apps.
While both Android and iOS are considered the most secure platforms, there are still a host of threats associated with them. The ubiquity of smartphones, as well as weak encryption during app development create the perfect conditions for mobile attacks. These breaches can be very damaging for enterprises, since employees use their personal devices more often than their personal computers for work-related activities. So, how can you protect yourself from mobile data leakage? And how do you protect your employees?
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