The Most Problematic Mobile Security Threats (Part 2)

In today’s age, mobile communication has become an integral part of personal and professional life for most people. But as the need for mobile communication has grown, so has the number of mobile security threats. For the hackers, mobile threats can prove to be lucrative.. For most organizations, however, they are nothing but an ever growing pain.

Currently, there are many mobile security threats that leave even the experts stymied. Continuing from where we left off in the last post, here are some threats that the pros find especially problematic.

6.     Android Fragmentation

Most security threats associated with Android are very rarely highlighted in public forums, despite the fragmentation of the Android mobile OS being well documented and discussed.

Security patches are often not the top consideration with so many variations. The security patches include the infrastructure essential to deploy the update on a per-carrier basis and worldwide. Many devices never see a patch or a full OS upgrade but are still released with an operating system.

7.     Non Responsive Insiders

It might surprise you to know this but over 35% of corporate and enterprise employees thoroughly believe that data security is not their responsibility. And a surprising 59% of the employees believe that a laptop or a mobile device with company data would not result in a threat to the security of the company.

This could be easily taken care of by educating the employees about security threats and how to be wary of them. Sadly, most organizations believe that the employees ought to know better on their own.

8.     Sophisticated Mobile Attackers

Attackers continue to be even more sophisticated about their attacks despite the fact that companies and security specialists come up with ways to block the attacks and enhance the existing security measures. This is why organizations need to be sure they have a comprehensive and up-to-date security solution set in place.

9.     Hostile Enterprise Signed Mobile Apps

Hostile enterprise signed mobile apps are a collection of malicious apps that thwart app store controls by leveraging enterprise application distribution ability in Android and iOS. This class of apps uses private OS APIs to gain detailed device information.  They might even change settings, mine address books and profile enterprise networks, and send that information to the malicious entities.

10.Legit Mobile Apps that Mine Corporate Information

More often than not, the security threats faced by organizations come from apps present in the devices of the employees. Most people simply don’t realize that personal and corporate data may be sent to remote servers and advertising networks all over the world. From there, that data can be mined by malicious entities and hostile governments seeking access to corporate networks.

Most experts agree that in the coming years, corporate hacking will be done through apps. This is why you should give mobile app security testing special consideration. You can get in touch with us to avail this service and other services like web application penetration testing. To read this list from the beginning, head over to part 1 of this blog. To know more about web and mobile application security, you can browse our website. 

The Most Problematic Mobile Security Threats (Part 1)

The thing about mobile apps is that they are not only popular with knowledge workers, but hackers too. This makes the issue of securing the apps complex even for the professionals. Here are some of the most problematic mobile security threats usually faced by security pros.

1.     Lack of a Proper Mobile Device Policy

A policy should be created regarding mobile security that establishes rules for authentication. This should include credential storage. For emails and the device itself, PII restrictions should be up held. Restrictions should also be applied on passwords, PINs, and usage. 

In essence, a mobile device policy should be made part of the onboarding process. It is also suggested that new employees at a company, before receiving their device or access to company resources, should read and sign off on the policy informing them of the established mobile security policy. 

2.     Connection Hacking

One of the most common examples of connection hacking is the ‘man-in-the-middle’ attack. Employees often use company devices to access company servers in open spaces. They might think they are safe behind the corporate firewall, but in reality, attackers set up a rogue access point and they start receiving all personal information the second they log in. This has the potential to leak a lot of sensitive data. 

3.     Authentication Attacks

Although not necessarily for stealing data on a mobile device, authentication consolidation will more than likely result in data specific exploits.

Industry experts predict that mobile devices will be progressively targeted for broader credential stealing. Either that, or for authentication attacks to be used at later on in the future.

For example, think of mobile devices as a direct conduit to cloud. The cloud just keeps on getting bigger as it is provided more and more data. Almost all organizations use numerous devices (laptop, tablet, mobile, etc.) to access that data. This means that by cracking just the device, the malicious entities could have access to the ever expanding cloud filled with sensitive information.

4.     Rootkits

Because of their very nature, rootkits are almost impossible to trace. Due to this, the attacker gets absolute control of the device. What is even more worrying is that it is very much possible for personal and sensitive information to be extracted through rootkits. This is especially worrying as more and more people have started to depend on mobile devices for their day to day activity. With a rootkit, malicious attackers can cause unprecedented damage.

5.     Mobile Payment Security Sources

The new payment platform of Facebook uses third party resources for security. If Facebook has a Trusted Service Manager platform installed in place and agreements with the manufacturers of the handsets, for the management of secure elements, then their payment solution would introduce Facebook into classical payment. Though, this is quite difficult and Facebook may not evolve in that way.

All these points just emphasize the need for mobile app security testing. Having your app tested by the professionals will ensure that it is safe from most mobile app security threats. To avail this service and others like web application penetration testing, get in touch with us.

What You Need to Know About Web Application Security

Web applications being used at enterprises that hold valuable and sensitive data and information related to the business’ consumers are normally at a higher risk from hackers and malicious viruses. So as to guard this sensitive data, businesses must integrate cost effective web application security measures. In a nutshell, companies should consider acquire services of a reliable managed web applications security provider that provides extensive security.

When viruses or hackers attack web applications, they can end up causing devastating disruptions that are not only costly but also severely affect the operations of the business. When web applications security test measures are taken regularly and properly, enterprises can end up getting affected severely. As a result, not only do these companies fail to earn the trust of their consumers but they also end up experiencing irreversible loss.

The most ordinary and widespread state for an enterprise is vulnerability. It frequently needs patches to appropriately administer web application security so as to save the standard operations from being disturbed; enterprises need to utilize efficient patch management. It definitely is a difficult operation and necessitates the services of an expert IT team that can easily manage the operation of patches that are vital. Apart from of the patching process’ competence, defense from probable attacks cannot be pledged.

There are several techniques that hackers use for instance, SQL injection, buffer overflow, cross site scripting, and denial of service. These vulnerabilities are employed more than the configuration problems during the attacks. The reason for this is that, it is generally easier for hackers to make use of vulnerabilities since the process of patching is not efficient. Nevertheless, a very effective way of countering this problem is by acquiring managed web application security services.

Web security tests basically find out if or not the security processes in an enterprise are in conformity with the regulations and are competent enough to act in response to the attacks. The online system on the other hand ensures that all the vulnerabilities are positioned with respect to the point of view of the hacker so that the problems and issues are resolved accordingly in an efficient manner.

At Lean Security, our experienced security consultants carry out high-level security assessment of our clients’ web applications, highlighting all the security issues and providing our customers with pertinent guidance and support to ensure that their data is secure.

Protecting Your Virtual Businesses: Better to Be Safe Than Sorry!

In today’s world, each and every enterprise is choosing to adapt the latest technology and use highly technical devices that are incorporated with the Internet. As it speeds up the operations within a company, it also makes security very crucial.

When a business starts using web applications and cloud, besides being fast and efficient, it also becomes vulnerable to various kinds of threats including virus attacks, mischievous hackers, immoral use of the web by external or internal invaders, bandwidth theft etc.

If no steps are taken to ensure the security of these applications and cloud storage then a company can end up losing thousands to millions of dollars if the system gets infected or the invaded. Hence, relevant steps must be taken in order to keep the company’s valuable data and information safe from such breaches.

This is exactly where Managed Security Services Providers come in handy. Companies that choose to acquire the services of a managed security services provider never get victimized by security threats and issues since a company is continuously keeping an eye on their operations.

These services are reasonably priced and a reliable managed security services provider offers quality services to its clients. There can be diverse standards on which the enterprise’s security mechanism must be outsourced. With managed security services, customary and habitual scanning of the web and internet applications is vital and so is the detection of incoming or potential threats and loopholes in the security system.

The security services providers scan the entire system on a regular basis to make sure that the data and operations on the system are safe and secure. They also backup all the important data and information so that it can be used in case of an accident. Managed security services eliminate all the loopholes that are to be normally found in the cloud and web applications and provide ease, convenience and a whole lot of other positives, through their unique cloud computing security architectures.

Businesses can now transition very easily to cloud computing with the added guarantee that Managed Security Services Providers will be there to protect their integrity against all security challenges that might come their way.

At Lean Security, our experienced security consultants carry out high level security assessment of our clients’ web applications and highlight all the security issues and provide our customers with pertinent guidance and support to ensure that their data is secure.

Potential Threats to Web Applications

One might wonder as to what potential threats are their web applications servers vulnerable to. Well, if we talk about threats, they are too many! Each and every device that is connected to the internet receives a unique IP address. This IP address comprises of two components, namely a host component and a network component.

Hackers usually launch programs in order to ping all the host addresses within a particular network and then log the results. Being armed with several devices, hackers launch several scans to find out what operating system or applications are being used on the system or the device. When operating systems and web applications are vulnerable and not secure, hackers exploit them.

But how does that affect your business?

Let’s look at some of the most common Web application security threats.

1. VANDALISM OF CONTENT THROUGH ALTERATION

When a hacker gains access to an enterprise’s system, all the data is at his sole mercy. If you exclusively rely upon your web applications to produce revenue or to attract customers to the business, damaged or distorted content could cause severe and irreparable damage to your connection with your clients and prospects.

2. DATA AND INFORMATION THEFT

Another probable threat is data and information theft. If your web applications have e-mail addresses, account numbers, or other extremely sensitive information, a hacker may end up stealing it in order to exploit it for his own benefit.

3. ILLEGAL ACCESS TO WEB APPLICATIONS

Sometimes a hacker uses your system for his or her own purposes merely denying you the ability to efficiently and effectively use your system. The fallout ranges from a minor inconvenience to a major catastrophe.

4. REFUTATION OF SERVICE

Some hackers also end up launching denial of service attacks. The denial of service attacks basically devastate the connection and refute access to you and your customers. This fallout can range from little inconveniences to big problems to major catastrophes.

5. PROLIFERATION OF WORMS, VIRUSES, AND OTHER MALWARE

Occasionally hackers may access your web applications to use them as a springboard for launching viruses, worms and other kinds of malware. This is basically done on your system in order to cover the tracks of a hacker.

At Lean Security, our experienced security consultants carry out high level security assessment of our clients’ web applications and highlight all the security issues and provide our customers with pertinent guidance and support to ensure that their data is secure.