Tag: android

Security firms highlight spike in malware targeting Android

Android is one of the most popular smart phone platforms in the world. Tech-savvy consumers praise Android for its variety of features and ease of use, but consumers are not the only ones interested in the platform. According to two firms specializing in mobile security — Eset and Lookout Mobile Security –, Android has become rampantly popular among hackers. These hackers are expected to put a great deal of attention on the Android platform in 2013, introducing a veritable tide of new malware that specifically targets the operating system.

Hackers target Android as operating system becomes more capable of mobile commerce

Google’s Android operating system is among the most powerful and widely used in the world. As such, it is often the subject of interest among hackers who are keen on exploiting the information found on Android mobile devices. Over the years, malware has become more sophisticated in order to adapt to the changes being made to the Android platform. While activity in the hacking community remains high, mobile security firms expect hacking activity to spike in the coming year as Android devices become more popular and capable of participating in mobile commerce.

18 million users expected to fall victim to malware

Lookout Mobile Security predicts that some 18 million Android users throughout the world will have their device affected by malware of some kind. Consumers outside of the U.S. are expected to encounter malware more frequently than those within the U.S. This may be due to the fact that most major hacking groups are located outside of the U.S. in order to avoid some of the harsh penalties the U.S. government has in place to deter hackers.

Mobile security to become a major issue in 2013

While 18 million is certainly a high number, Robert Nelson of Android Community suggests that this number is small when compared to the total number of consumers with Android mobile devices. Nonetheless, mobile security is expected to be a major concern for Android consumers in the coming year. There are various applications that consumers can download to help protect their devices from exploitation, however, and these applications are likely to become more capable as hackers attempt to adopt more sophisticated methods of breaching Android security.

Tapestry aims to bridge a gap with NFC technology

Fashion and technology are becoming increasingly entwined. The fashion industry has long sought to be on the cutting edge of every sector it is involved in and the advent of mobile technology may help push the industry into new territory. There are currently a wide variety of companies that combine fashion with digital technology, but a new startup in the United Kingdom called Tapestry aims to make use of NFC technology to connect consumers with actual products.

Application allows consumers to build virtual wardrobes

Tapestry offers a free mobile application for the Android and iOS platforms. This application aims to connect a consumer’s online identify with actual, physical products in stores they may be visiting. The application is equipped with a barcode scanner that will allow users to scan a variety of codes that will provide them with information on particular products. It also leverages NFC technology as a way to allow users to build a virtual wardrobe filled with products they may want to own.

Tapestry could be used as a personalized shopping channel

The application is meant to create a personalized mobile shopping channel for mobile consumers. Retailers may find the Tapestry application useful as it provides them with data concerning the interests of particular consumers and demographics. The platform also provide retailers with a way to provide these consumers with discounts and loyalty rewards, thus creating a dynamic connection between businesses and shoppers. Tapestry notes that the use of the application in this way could encourage consumers to add more products to their virtual wardrobes in order to receive more attention from retailers.

NFC technology gaining ground outside of mobile commerce

NFC technology is most often used in the field of mobile commerce, where it can facilitate mobile payments. The technology has been sparingly used in the field of marketing, but NFC is relatively rare in the fashion industry. Tapestry is one of the few applications outside of the mobile commerce sector that leverages NFC technology to connect with consumers in the fashion industry.