Tag: mobile security apps

A recent report has shown that most of the leading Android and iOS applications have been hacked.

The third annual “State of Mobile App Security” report has now been released, and what it has revealed was that mobile security in both Android and iOS based applications is not high enough to be able to keep hackers from getting in.

How many have been hacked? 87 percent of the top 100 paid Apple iOS apps and 97 percent of the top paid Android apps!

Beyond the rise in mobile security breaches in apps that are occurring among the Popular Free apps that are most frequently downloaded, the report from this year also showed that there was evidence of hacking that was quite commonplace in the applications in the following categories: financial services, retail and merchants, healthcare and medical. Overall, these were primarily driven by hacks in mobile apps for Android devices.

This shows that there remains a serious concern with regards to mobile security in top apps of all types and forms.

The report is produced by Arxan and it has provided an update over the indicators that have been published in previous years with regards to the prevalence of mobile security issues in the form of hacked apps over the two largest smartphone platforms, Android and iOS. Considering the rapid growth of the global mobile app usage, the insight provided in this report could be quite important.

This report also projected that there will be an increase in the download rate of free mobile apps of 99 percent, to the point that they will reach 253 billion downloads in 207. In the paid app download category, it is expected that there will be a 33 percent increase by 2017, when it will reach 15 billion downloads.

The mobile security risk associated with hacking in apps is remaining stead with Android apps, as the figures showed that 97 percent of the top paid apps have been hacked. That said, the risk of hacking in the top paid iOS apps is considerably higher now than it had been last year, as it is now at 87 percent, compared to last year’s 56 percent.

The antivirus software company has purchased a mobile app startup.

Avast has announced that it has acquired Inmite, a Czech-based mobile app developer, to help it become more mobile friendly and improve the mobile security it offers.

Inmite has developed several apps in the past for a variety of diverse companies.

The company has previous designed apps, particularly third party consumer apps for mobile television, mobile banking, a car purchasing app for škoda, and even apps for Google Glass. Previously it has also partner with Google and SAP.

According to Vince Steckler, Avast’s chief executive officer, Inmite’s 40 developers will essentially be revamping Avast’s user interface (UI). Steckler said that Inmite “primarily make consumer apps for third parties, so they have a heck of a lot of expertise in simplifying things.” The Avast team will grow to 80 as they hire on the additional 40 expert app developers.

Avast was founded in Prague in 1988 and has offices around the world in the U.S., China and Germany, but its main headquarters is located in the Czech Republic.

Avast is aiming to make its mobile security software more user friendly.

A problem that many mobile security companies face is creating a practical app that is easy for consumer to use. Avast is hopeful that buying a company that is known for building innovative mobile apps could help it appeal to more mobile users. The challenge will be to build an application that is quite complex but that will be easy for consumers to understand how to use.

Steckler stated that “Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting smartphones and tablets – and consumers want our solutions to protect them from Wi-Fi attacks, phishing threats, or having their device lost or stolen.” He added that consumers want the freedom to know that when they use their device, it is safe in their hands. The company believes that Inmite will be able to meet the needs of its users around the world.

In addition, even though Avast does not really have any interest in integrating its software into third party devices or apps, it is interested in developing add ons. More specifically, it is interested in creating mobile security features that will improve the security of applications.