Our concerns about our data and privacy are becoming more and more serious as companies and educational, and healthcare facilities continue shifting online. Applications and software we love to use for 'free’ do not provide free services and use our data and information to their advantage. And this doesn’t happen entirely without our consent. As we continue to download all the applications that make our smartphones smarter, we inevitably share our valuable information like our contact lists, location and media files.
What Is Privacy Invasion?
Australian Law identifies some fundamental principles of online privacy. These principles include collecting data through non-intrusive means, non-disclosure of personal data to third parties, protecting the collected data from any theft, and destroying the data once it has been used. Any violation of these may lead to privacy invasion.
How Do Phone Applications Invade Privacy?
Phone applications usually ask for your permission before they can access your phone. Some of these conditions are expanded on under 'terms and conditions.’ Sometimes, permission is sought once the application has been downloaded.
For example, applications may ask you to allow access to your location, media files, microphone, etc. Most of the time, these applications and permissions are relevant, and much needed to function. For example, a cab service may need access to your location. However, some permission may be riskier.
According to research, some applications may go as far as accessing your phone’s motion sensors and even trick users into granting permission and access indirectly. This data can prove dangerous because it may be compiled and sold to third parties who may be hackers.
In such circumstances, each phone application is like spyware in its ways and may need security testing to ensure potentially dangerous third parties do not access your data.
What Can You Do To Overcome It?
The dangers of allowing unhindered access to your phone are apparent. Data is the most valuable currency in the current day, and allowing unlimited access to it may endanger your security and that of your business.
You can take the following steps to ensure safety:
Delete Old Applications
Ensure you delete any unwanted applications from your phone to prevent them from unnecessarily accessing your data.
Don’t Install More Applications Than You Need
All of your applications are lying there in your phone and transferring your data to marketers. Therefore, do not be tempted to install applications you don’t intend to use—you’re giving away your data for free!
Check Your Applications’ Permissions
Ensure you are familiar with how your applications share your data and how private they are about it. Make sure you change settings in your phone about data sharing that you don't like, and if you don't have that option with a specific app, beware of its potential threat.
Hire Professionals for Vulnerability Testing
Hire professionals to ensure your data’s safety. Lean Security is an IT solutions firm that offers security testing, penetration testing services, and mobile application security assessment. Let our professionals handle your online security for you.