Category: Mobile Security

Mobile security becoming more problematic

| May 28, 2013

Trend Micro releases new mobile security report

Trend Micro, a leading Internet security firm, has released a new study concerning the state of mobile security. Security has become a very significant issue in the mobile space and continues to grow more serious as more consumers purchase smartphones and tablets. The advent of mobile technology has helped changed the Internet and how people connect through digital mediums. Mobile devices today store information that is considered valuable to hackers and other groups that would be interested in exploiting this information for some gain.

Report highlights security threats linked to world events

According to Trend Micro’s latest report, called “Trend Micro Q1 2013,” major events unfolding around the world have sparked an increase in the number of spammers that have been showing up online. Malicious groups are forming parties that are vaguely associated with these events in order to ensnare consumers that are interested in what is happening around the world. The report notes that the attention that Google Glass, Google’s augmented reality eyewear, has been receiving recently in one of the events that has spawned new scamming attempts, putting strain on mobile security around the world.

Mobile Security ProblemsFake mobile games and applications target consumers

The study also found that fake mobile games are becoming a major issue for consumers. Gaming applications are typically distributed through services such as Google Play and the Apple App Store. These platforms have their own ways to ensure the safety of the applications they distribute, but the developers associated with these platforms typically only have to receive their distribution license once and are able to upload to these platforms freely once they become “trusted.” Some hacking groups have begun to pay developers to upload their malicious application, essentially circumventing the security measures that distribution platforms have in place.

Mobile security continues to demand attention

Mobile security continues to be a serious issue that is not often taken very seriously. Trend Micro suggests a large portion of the Android mobile devices that are in service today have been affected by mobile security threats in some form. Understanding these mobile security threats could be the first step in adequately defending mobile devices from the risks they face in the digital world.

Mobile payments on the rise in Brazil

| May 25, 2013

mobile payments BrazilBrazil sees strong growth in the realm of mobile payments

Mobile payments have been picking up steam in Brazil. The Brazilian government has been taking steps toward making mobile payments more commonplace and has been introducing measures that may help regulate the mobile commerce field. Brazil’s Ministry of Communications has been noting the sharp rise in use of mobile devices over the past year. According to the agency, mobile technology penetration throughout the country is powering the growing popularity of mobile payments.

Government moves to regulate mobile commerce

The Ministry of Communication expects that more than 130 million mobile devices will be used to make mobile payments in the next two years. There are currently 260 million of these devices in operation throughout the country. The Brazilian government has begun showing strong interest in supporting the growth of mobile wallets, which can be used by consumers to store and use financial information with their smartphones and tablets. These wallets exist as applications that can be installed on a mobile device and have proven quite popular within the mobile commerce space.

Central Bank to develop regulatory roadmap for mobile payments

While mobile payments are on the rise in Brazil, the country still lacks a comprehensive regulatory structure to govern this growing sector. The Brazilian Central Bank has 180 days to develop a regulatory roadmap that will manage the emerging mobile commerce field and address the various security concerns that exist therein. Bank officials have noted that one of their top priorities is to ensure that mobile payments are universally accepted, allowing all consumers the ability to participate in mobile commerce if they so choose.

Security considered a top priority

Security is also considered a top priority, from a regulatory standpoint. Mobile commerce has long been plagued with security concerns that have slowed its adoption. Because mobile commerce involves the use of financial information through a mobile device, it is often considered insecure by nature. Indeed, mobile devices are quickly becoming ideal targets for hackers due to the financial information they are beginning to store and how this information is being used to initiate mobile payments.