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Large Percentage Of Mobile Apps Have Security Flaws

By July 16, 2019May 17th, 2022Cybersecurity

How many apps do you have on your phone?If you’re like most people, you’ve likely got dozens or more. Considering how much storage is available on mobile devices these days, people tend to install apps and when they no longer want them, they don’t bother to uninstall them. Whatever your number is, the statistics recently published by Positive Technologies in their report “Vulnerabilities and Threats in Mobile Applications 2019” will alarm you.

Here are a few of the key findings:

  • 35 percent of all mobile apps tested had vulnerabilities relating to the insecure transmission of sensitive data.
  • 35 percent had issues with the incorrect implementation of session expiration
  • 20 percent had problems relating to sensitive data being stored in the app source code and insufficient protection against cyber attacks using brute-force techniques
  • 29 percent of tested apps contained vulnerabilities relating to insecure inter-process communications, which are classed as high risk

Overall, high-risk vulnerabilities were found in 38 percent of tested iOS apps, and 43 percent of Android apps.  Even worse, 89 percent of the vulnerabilities that were discovered could be exploited via malware.  The hacker targeting the device would never even need to take physical control of the device.

Leigh-Anne Galloway (one of the people responsible for the report) said:

“Developers pay painstaking attention to software design in order to give us a smooth and convenient experience and people gladly install mobile apps and provide personal information.  However, an alarming number of apps are critically insecure, and far less developer attention is spent on solving that issue. We recommend that users take a close look when applications request access to phone functions or data.  If you doubt that an application needs access to perform its job correctly, decline the request.”

Wise words, and very good advice.  So back to the initial question, and with the statistics above in mind, how many apps do you have on your phone?

Jason Manteiga

Jason J. Manteiga, Vice President of Olmec Systems, has been part of the company for over the past 20 years. He believes that having a great work environment and supportive team, is the ultimate key to success. Since being in the IT realm for over 25 years, Jason, along with Olmec Systems, has been on the Inc. 5000 “List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies” and Channel Futures MSP 501 “Top Managed Service Providers in North America,” along with other awards and nominations. Jason earned his Bachelor Degree in Information Systems from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds certifications in Microsoft MCSE, VMWare VCP, and Cisco CCNA. In his spare time, Jason is a contributor for The Center for Social & Legal Research (Privacy Exchange) and a member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include cycling and kayaking. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and son.