Mobile Security News Roundup: Top Stories From October

The mobile security news roundup for this month covers startling statistics on public Wi-Fi use, mobile apps that leak location data, selfies as an authentication factor for payments, and a hackathon in which participants took down Android and iOS devices. Here are the top mobile security news stories you need to know.

Public Wi-Fi Use Grows Despite Obvious Security Risks

Our need to be constantly connected drives us to ignore possible risks and throw caution to the wind. A recent survey conducted by Xirrus and Morgan Wright found that 91 percent of Wi-Fi users believe public Wi-Fi is insecure, but 89 percent connect anyway. Public Wi-Fi use rose drastically in 2016 compared to 2015.

This trend is scary because organizations have not taken steps to train employees about the threats that may arise from public Wi-Fi usage. Many business users continue to connect to these networks without giving a thought to security.

Apps Leak Device Location Data

Applications that run on Android and iOS were found to leak device location data, according to Threatpost. This threat is not new but has been growing steadily as apps increasingly access location data. Data is usually shared with advertising companies and app developer servers, but leaked location data can be used to create targeted attacks that could result in corporate data loss.

Pay-By-Selfie Now a Reality

As mobile payments become more common, companies constantly strive to come up with innovative and secure ways to authenticate payments. Initially, banks and e-commerce providers used fingerprint and iris scanners to verify identities and process payments. Now, the latest fad in authentication, according to Infosecurity Magazine, is the selfie.

Hackers Take Down iPhone 6S and Nexus 6P

In a recently concluded hackathon in Tokyo, Japanese hackers from Keen Lab successfully took down Nexus 6P and iPhone 6S devices, Threatpost reported. Hackers used a two different bugs to exploit weaknesses in Android and install a rogue application. They then tried the same approach on an iOS device, but the bug was identified and removed after rebooting the device. Both exploits were carried out on the latest versions of Android N and iOS 10.1.

Join me again next month for more top mobile security news.

Michael Ambrose

Mobile Security Portfolio Marketing Manager, IBM

Taking the complexity out of identity solutions for hybrid environments

4 min read - For the past two decades, businesses have been making significant investments to consolidate their identity and access management (IAM) platforms and directories to manage user identities in one place. However, the hybrid nature of the cloud has led many to realize that this ultimate goal is a fantasy. Instead, businesses must learn how to consistently and effectively manage user identities across multiple IAM platforms and directories. As cloud migration and digital transformation accelerate at a dizzying pace, enterprises are left…

IBM identifies zero-day vulnerability in Zyxel NAS devices

12 min read - While investigating CVE-2023-27992, a vulnerability affecting Zyxel network-attached storage (NAS) devices, the IBM X-Force uncovered two new flaws, which when used together, allow for pre-authenticated remote code execution. Zyxel NAS devices are typically used by consumers as cloud storage devices for homes or small to medium-sized businesses. When used together, the flaws X-Force discovered allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device with superuser permissions and without requiring any credentials. This results in complete control over the…

What cybersecurity pros can learn from first responders

4 min read - Though they may initially seem very different, there are some compelling similarities between cybersecurity professionals and traditional first responders like police and EMTs. After all, in a world where a cyberattack on critical infrastructure could cause untold damage and harm, cyber responders must be ready for anything. But are they actually prepared? Compared to the readiness of traditional first responders, how do cybersecurity professionals in incident response stand up? Let’s dig deeper into whether the same sense of urgency exists…

Unified endpoint management for purpose-based devices

4 min read - As purpose-built devices become increasingly common, the challenges associated with their unique management and security needs are becoming clear. What are purpose-built devices? Most fall under the category of rugged IoT devices typically used outside of an office environment and which often run on a different operating system than typical office devices. Examples include ruggedized tablets and smartphones, handheld scanners and kiosks. Many different industries are utilizing purpose-built devices, including travel and transportation, retail, warehouse and distribution, manufacturing (including automotive)…

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Topics

Public Wi-Fi Use Grows Despite Obvious Security Risks

Apps Leak Device Location Data

Pay-By-Selfie Now a Reality

Hackers Take Down iPhone 6S and Nexus 6P

More from

Taking the complexity out of identity solutions for hybrid environments

IBM identifies zero-day vulnerability in Zyxel NAS devices

What cybersecurity pros can learn from first responders

Unified endpoint management for purpose-based devices

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