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MOBILE APPS

CONTENTS

• What is a mobile app?• Risks in using mobile apps• Privacy issues• How to avoid the risks?• Mobile apps as a marketing channel• Bibliography

WHAT IS A MOBILE APP?

• A mobile application is a feature/program you can download to your phone.• A mobile app offers the user information or other

benefits.• Some apps are free, while some might cost.• Several social networks, newspapers and similar

operators usually have their own apps.• Mobile apps often require internet access.

RISKS IN USING MOBILE APPS

• Most people have protected their computer against viruses and other harmful programs that spread via the internet. Even though the great awareness of risks, such as viruses, many people have not protected their phones against them.

• Up to 42% of the population in Finland own a smart phone, where apps can be downloaded. That means that the app market potential is huge.

• The developers of mobile apps are quite fragmented, therefore it is not necessarily known who the developer is, nor their agenda.

PRIVACY ISSUES

• 96% of iOS apps have the ability to access personal data in a device. Contacts, calendars, pictures and other information are not protected.

• Most phones have GPS-localisation features and an internet connection.

• A persons privacy is not guaranteed, when you are traceable all the time. There are numerous apps that allows the localisation of a phone.

• A questionable fact in this matter, is who can trace you or access your files?

• Corporations have a rising problem on their hands when workers bring their personal smart phones or similar gadgets to the work place.

HOW TO AVOID RISKS?

• Research possible anti-virus programs for your smart phone.• Turn of the localisation feature if you do not wish

to be localised.• Don’t download apps that you don’t perceive as

trustworthy.• Do not store risky data in your phone.

MOBILE APPS AS A MARKETING CHANNEL

• Some mobile apps use Push-notifications, which means that the user gets information from the app even if not using it at the moment. • Many apps, including games, feature advertising.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• https://www.owasp.org/images/9/94/MobileTopTen.pdf• http://

www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=13321• Picture:• http://

www.jazzhostels.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/new-york-city-travel-apps-photo-cr.jpg