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advised users to stay away from any application in any market calling itself Flappy Bird, since the original version is obsolete it is safer to assume that its predecessor are all impostors.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://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/02/snapchat-hack
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