Should you be worried about what you download on your mobile devices?

Should you be worried about what you download on your mobile devices?

Lately in the world of mobile gaming, an application called Flappy Bird has taken the world by storm. Because of constant messages, insults, and request for interviews the creator Dong Nguyen decided to take down the application. This opened a window of opportunity for malware creators to exploit unsuspecting users. According to the security firm Sophos, it has discovered third party application in the android market claiming to be “Flappy Bird”. The real problem with this is that some of them contains malware and others forces users to send text to a premium number. This is effectively giving malware creators all the tools needed to exploit users information. Another security firm named Trend Micro confirmed that these malicious creators were able to alter changes in victims billing addresses. Both firms advised users to stay away from any application in any market calling itself Flappy Bird, since the original version is obsolete it is safer to assume that its predecessor are all impostors.

Similar to Flappy bird another mobile application is under the radar this week for malicious reasons. SnapChat which has made a name for itself, by refusing a 3 billion dollar offer by Facebook is going through a couple issues. The application which is already known for its major vulnerabilities, is being ridiculed by a spam attack. According to Wired.com editor Joe Brown, his application was sending pictures of fruit smoothies to friends and family. He was unaware of the spam access of his account to advertise their product to his beloved one. At the moment the messages pose no major threat, they redirected users to AllRecipes.com, which is a recipe website. An anonymous spokesperson from Snapchat told Joe that it is most likely a case where someone has his email and password and their attack worked at the first try. SnapChat is currently trying to plug the leak, in the meantime it is better for users to change their passwords. This is very embarrassing for the company because it show how easily accessible their product are to potential malware creators. If it is possible for a recipe website to attack Snapchat to promote their product, just image what can be done in malicious hands.Similar to Flappy Bird the main prevention methods involved staying away from third party application that ask for SnapChats emails and passwords.

Safety has always been a big issue, and knowing how to protect yourself in situations like these can be the deciding factors between a great mobile experience or losing important information.

Igor Liss M

Work Cited

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2014/02/11/flappy-bird-really-is-dead-beware-of-infected-fakes-that-promise-to-keep-him-alive/

http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/trojanized-flappy-bird-comes-on-the-heels-of-takedown-by-app-creator/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57618767-83/squawk-flappy-bird-fakes-are-hatching-android-malware/

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/02/snapchat-hack

What is SnapChat and How to use it.

SnapChat is a new, fun, and intuitive mobile application that was created in 2011. It became very popular or viral around the late 2012 because of its uniqueness that differentiates it from other popular applications. What makes the Snap Chat experience different than any other social sites is the purpose for which users utilize it.

 

 My opinion and Findings

            Snap chat is a photo and video messaging application in which the users can set timers which will automatically delete the picture they sent after it is received. On the latest version of Snap Chat incoming snaps will be marked as orange boxes on the home screen which resemble a camera application. To take a “snap” users just need to tap on the camera button and to record a short video users need to press and hold on button. Some of its special features include the ability to draw on any pictures taken, you can also leave comment on photos and videos recorded on the Snapchat.I found some valuable secrets while using Snap Chat over the years, the first obvious one is that the logo appears to be a ghost sticking its tongue out. Other more useful secrets are for example “B&w... transform your picture into a black and white image, you can probably guess what “sepia... and negative...” will do to your picture.I personally compare Snap Chat to a recent one hit wonder called “Draw Something” in which users were supposed to draw a picture of a random item that they sent to another user and in return they had to figure out what the picture meant and write its definition. When Snap Chat became very popular among teens first Facebook tried buy it, after being rejected Mark Zuckerberg decided to compete against them by using their “Poke” feature as an alternative to snap chat. As you can see this idea did not last because Snap Chat obliterated all its contenders.

On The News

 

  Recently Facebook made a comeback and tried to buy Snap Chat for a whopping $3Billion dollars http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-13/snapchats-3-billion-rejection-and-the-great-facebook-unbundling. What is really surprising it that the team at Snap Chat once again denied Facebook's offer and a lot of bloggers are questioning how long can Snap chat survive before becoming old technology. Like I mentioned before Snap Chat is very popular because of the way it used. Apparently users found that having snaps that self-destruct was a great way to share “secret” photos and videos. This makes Snap Chat a very controversial application and gives it a tremendous ability to grow amongst teens and adults. In other words Snap Chat can grow without Facebook's help and in the long run they will eventual compete for equal footing. Lastly a rumor was spreading on the internet about another competitor trying to buy Snap Chat, Google apparently tried to buy it for about $4Billion dollars. http://www.androidauthority.com/google-snapchat-acquisition-rumor-317376/. 

Verdict

                 Snap chat popularity is undoubtedly immense and I suggest that new users should take caution when using it. Like the saying goes anything posted on the internet can never be taken down. So be careful about what you snap, security leaks have already occurred on Snap Chat where thousands of pictures where downloaded from the Snap Chat server. I would recommend anyone to download Snap Chat, use it with precaution and mostly just have fun with it.