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Mobile games for kids may not be as secure as they should

| December 17, 2012

 

Mobile Games ChildrenFederal Trade Commission targets mobile games designed for children

Privacy in mobile games has become a very problematic issue, according to the Federal Trade Commission, a government agency focused on consumer rights. According to the agency, the developers of mobile games that target children are not doing enough to protect the privacy of these consumers. These mobile applications often collect information from their users, such as name, email address, and even financial information provided by parents. If these applications are compromised by malware, this information could be exploited, with catastrophic consequences.

Mobile games for children are not developed with privacy in mind

Developers of mobile games, especially those targeting children, rarely have privacy as a primary concern. Younger consumers are not necessarily considered to have access to any vital information that would attract the interest of a hacker, but this is not usually the case. The Federal Trade Commission notes that many young consumers make use of their parent’s information, often without the knowledge of their parent. While this practice is typically rare, the growing popularity of mobile devices and their reach to a younger audience is causing this practice to spike.

Developers not supplying enough information

Moreover, the Federal Trade Commission suggests that developers of mobile games have not done enough to provide parents with the information they need to make informed choices regarding the applications that their children use. Mobile games designed for younger consumers are often marketed in a way that would be appealing to children, not adults. The agency notes that only 15% of the mobile games it examined for its investigation provided information letting parents know that there are in-app advertisements, many of which are designed to acquire information from the person following them.

Privacy continues to be a major concern for mobile consumers

Privacy continues to be a hot topic in the mobile space. Companies like Apple have run into legal trouble in the past over their privacy and security methods. Privacy concerns are beginning to affect the mobile applications market, with consumers becoming less willing to purchase or download a particular app unless they can be convinced that their information is protected in some way.

McAfee updates mobile security suite

| December 17, 2012

 

McAfee Mobile Security platform gets new features

McAfee, a leading developer of sMobile Security Technologyecurity solutions, has released an enhanced version of its McAfee Mobile Security platform. The new version of the application features the App Lock service, which is designed to protect a mobile consumer’s privacy while using their smart phone or tablet. The updated McAfee Mobile Security platform also introduces a more streamlined user interface, which is expected to make it easier for mobile consumers to navigate the application’s various features.

Mobile security becoming a growing concern for consumers

Mobile security is becoming a serious issue for mobile consumers around the world. A growing number of people are using their mobile devices to keep track of vital information and to keep track of their finances. This makes these devices very attractive targets for hackers who are keen to exploit this information for personal gain. McAfee, as well as other security companies, have been urging consumers to ensure that their mobile devices are as secure as possible, making use of one or more of the security applications available to them.

App Lock protects popular applications

The McAfee Mobile Security App Lock feature provides consumers with a way to protect their privacy by preventing the malicious use of some of the world’s most popular mobile applications. These applications include Facebook, LinkedIn, and Gmail. These applications are often targeted by hackers in order to gain access to sensitive information. The App Lock feature literally locks these applications, preventing them from being used without authorization from their owner. McAfee believes that the App Lock feature is another layer of protection that consumers can use to ensure the security of their mobile device.

Platform provides array of active protection

The McAfee Mobile Security platform also offers a range of anti-virus and anti-malware features, as well as protection against theft through a comprehensive back-up data storage service. The platform actively monitors a mobile device to guard against mobile security breaches and can also warn consumers of websites that are known to host malicious content.