project

Guided By Dr. Suanu Bliss Wikina

Contents Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………...3 Introduction………………………………………………………………………..……..4 Types of Mobile Applications……………………………………………………..……..5 Importance of Mobile Application Security…………………………………..………..7 Recommendations for Using Mobile Applications……………………………..………9 Top Three Best Mobile Security Applications…………………………………..…….10 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………12 References……………………………………………………………………………….13

This report is about the mobile application security and importance to have installed the mobile application security in the mobile gadgets like the Smartphones or the tablet computers. The use of mobile gadgets have increased in the recent past and it has also brought danger to our personal information as well which are generally saved in our mobiles like the credit card information, contacts, business particulars, etc. Therefore, the importance of mobile application security shall be discussed in detail in the report so that ho we can save our personal data from the external threats in the shape of malwares.

Keywords: Types of Mobile Applications, Importance of Mobile Application Security, Recommendations for using Mobile Applications, Best Mobile Security Applications.

Introduction:

The mobile applications play an important role in our daily life and they are helpful in managing our day to day needs like online banking, chatting to other friends and family, share of online information including photos, banking transactions, codes, etc. However, we are not aware of one thing and that is threats in the shape of malware. The malware are the online threats that can put your personal information and data on risk and you may suffer in various manners like monetary losses, bad repute, etc.

The mobile applications allow users to have mini computers in their mobile phones and enjoy the services. The smart phones allows many built-in applications in their mobile phones which are basic in nature like calculator, calendar, camera, libraries, etc. and the users may download unlimited applications in their mobile phones like emails, video recorders, MP3 players, Medical apps, online organizational applications for sale & purchase of good online, banking applications and most importantly the games. The main advantage is that you can avail functions of such applications without any computer at anywhere with the help of mobile phone and internet.

The previous approach for developing applications were for the desktop computers and laptops but now the trend has changed and the developers are following the approach “Mobile-First” and they are developing such applications that can easily be downloaded on the mobile phones. It is also reported that about 197 Billion different mobile applications are downloaded only during the year 2017. With the advent of such mobile applications, there is no need to depend on huge computer systems at home but can use the applications while journey. These mobile applications can be found and downloaded from i) “Google Play” for the Android mobiles, ii) “Apple’s App Store” for the iPhones and iPad mobiles and iii). “Amazon App Store” for the Fire mobile gadgets of Amazon.

Types of Mobile Applications

There are basic six types of mobile applications and this is the main reason that millions of users like to use smart phones for their effectiveness and benefits in daily routine life (Matteo, 2018):

1: The “Daily Life” Mobile Applications:

· Food Fun

· Travel Guides

· Music and Audio

· Gym / Fitness

· Dating Guide, etc.

2: The “Social Media” Mobile Applications:

· Facebook

· Twitter

· Instagram

· Snapchat, etc.

3: The “Utility” Mobile Applications:

· Calculator

· Weather Forecasting

· Messaging

· Animated Flash Light, etc.

4: The “Gaming/Entertainment” Mobile Applications

· Candy Crush

· Angry Birds

· Racing, etc.

5: The “Productivity” Mobile Applications:

· Excel Sheets

· Doc Files

· PDF Viewer

· Banking Apps

· Business Apps, etc.

6: The “Information/News” Mobile Applications:

· Jobs Alerts

· Emails

· News Alerts, etc.

Importance of Mobile Application Security

With the increased use of mobile phones, the threat for hacking mobile data or hack of organizational / personal data with the help of mobile phones has increased to an alarming position. The development of mobile application security system is a future process where the analysts and security application developers are seeking such development that will save mobile data of users from all the internal and external threats like in the case of personal computers and laptops. The majority of mobile devices are also connected to the internet connections which are direct threat as the users may download mobile applications from unknown sources or the hackers may hack the mobile data with the help of that particular application and put your entire data at risk.

These apps take much less space in the mobile memory; therefore, they are attractive for the users as well. However, the developers may not take into consideration many things like the testing of application software in various capacities and this negligence or hurry to launch new and rapid mobile applications may also leave an open threat to your personal data. The vulnerability of application software is biggest threat. Several application software(s) requires sign-up or your personal information prior they get ready for the launch on your mobile screen.

The following are the possible reasons to have security system for the mobile applications (Weetechsolution, 2018):

a). Connection with the External Networks:

The business world has become too fast and they require routine procedures at the earliest basis so the use of mobile application software to exchange personal or organizational data has become a common routine task. The software being used for such purposes may also perform some unexpected functions like shifting your data with third parties as well. Therefore, it is important to only download mobile applications from reliable sources and have strong security application in your mobile phone to protect your data. It is also reported that over 900 million “Android” mobiles can easily be fooled, if they are hacked or affected by any malware. This is the main reason why many organizations and businesses have banned use of mobile phone within the premises of their business locations.

b). Mishandling of Mobile Phones:

The smart phones can easily be connected with the desktop computers of laptops using the data cables. This procedure may not only bring the requisite files in your mobile device or vice versa but at the same time it may also bring some unwanted malware as well that may harm your mobile data without letting you know about it. Therefore, the use of mobile phone to transfer or receiving data from other computer devices require having security application installed at your smart phone at the first.

c). Access to your Personal Data:

The access to your personal data may harm you with the huge cost, if you belong to a business class. The emergence of e-commerce and sharing of information on fast track basis using various mobile applications like “Whatsapp” may put your data and business at high risk. It may reveal your future plans and the market competitors would be on the advantageous side.

Recommendations for Using Mobile Applications

The following points may be adopted / followed to make you daily mobile usage free from any possible risk of data loss:

1. The mobiles should have some recognized and registered anti-malware application or security system installed to avoid such threats.

2. Do not attach your mobile devices to any other computer system or mobile device until it is ensured that both, mobile & computer system, are secured by anti-malware / Anti-virus software.

3. Always download well-reputed and well-recognized mobile applications. The best / original mobile applications can be recognized from their quality interface and functions.

4. Do not allow mobile application software to access your personal contacts, camera, messages or any other facility so that the possible chances of risk can be averted.

5. Do not allow your employees using their smart phones during the working hours and within the premises of business units.

6. Smart phone of a good repute company should be used so that their internal system is well-structured and well-engineered for protection of your data. Moreover, the emails from unknown resources should never be opened and their attachment files should never be downloaded as well. These are the direct malwares that automatically downloaded on the memory of your mobile memory.

Top Three Best Mobile Security Applications

The following are the top three best mobile security software that are available easily on free-download and paid basis as well. The free usage may be for a limited period of time for satisfaction & test-use opportunity for the user and the paid versions are with full access and for long term basis as well (Simon Hill, 2018):

1. The “Kaspersky” Mobile Security App:

This application has been the best amongst all mobile security applications and it not taking much space can provide fast services and scanning of malware. It can also locate and delete the malware with accuracy level of 99.99%. However, the free version is only available for 30-days on trial/test run basis with limited features.

2. The “Avast” Mobile Security App:

This wonderful mobile security application is another relief for the users. It can be used on free basis and can boost your RAM by identifying and removing many bottlenecks that are impossible to track by a layman. It also has ability to ban ads on mobile and scanning on fast track basis without hanging your mobile or slowing its speed. It can protect your personal photo folders with a PIN Code.

3. The “Bitdefender” Mobile Security App:

This wonderful mobile security application software is not only a light-weight anti-virus but also with number of qualities. It is also a paid application that allows you a trial/test run opportunity for 14-days and after lapse of this time, you may be asked to purchase the full/paid version. This application also not slow down your mobile speed and scanning is also very fast.

Conclusion:

The use of modern smart phones has ended up the dominance of desktop computers and laptops as these are easy in mobility and even they fits into your pocket with huge battery time as well.

References