Android: The One That Gets All the Attention - Developers, Hackers and YOU
Android is considered one of the best operating systems used in smart phones. This operating system is backed by Google, the number one search engine. The Google Play has become an obsession now, enjoying the biggest number of smart phone apps. Many of them are absolutely free. But what if we tell you that Android is the easiest operating system to hack) and even customized apps such as Gmail can be hacked. Recently it was checked and confirmed that Gmail is one of the top endangered apps, which can be hacked very easily. This hack is done by disguising malicious software engineered by unfortunately smart people. They created a copy of Gmail app and waited for the victims whoever downloaded that copy to their Android phone. Personal and monetary correspondence would be at the mercy of the programmer. Android devices are vulnerable to hacking that it can be done anywhere any time. For instance, a hacker might have his equipment in his side pocket, all what he has to do in order to hack your Android phone, is to get closer to your device. This literally means that a person that you shake hands with, a passenger who you visit with or even the stranger whose shoulder brushes against yours, can hack all your personal and financial dealings done through Android apps.
It is expert opinion that totally opposite to public opinion, when it comes to security threats, Apple’s iOS is somewhat more immune than Android to hack due to stronger regulations on what they allow to be published in the App Store, according to David Shamath from Times of Israel. Another big problem is Android’s design. Unlike iOS, Android was not designed by a company specializing on mobile operating system. Google is primarily a search engine, and their approach was to design an open-for-all OS. Programmers, developers have much more powers to make the mobile apps work whichever way they want to.
When you read that financial apps for Chase Bank, Amazon or WebMD, big brand names, were found vulnerable to hacking attempts, do you ask how easier it is to hack the rest? And it doesn't stop there. Advanced cybercriminals can take control of your Android mobile’s mic and camera without needing special equipment or software. This can be done easily through tools, available online for free. This issue has become importance when we realize that Android is the OS used by over 80% of the world’s smart phone users. Do we ask users all to switch to iOS or demand Google to impose a stricter policy on the App Store? The first is unlikely, and the second is absolutely not. Open-source is a good thing and should continue this way. But to continue, we need to deal with current security issues impacting Android users and developers.
Need help or have any question, contact us at support@teskalabs.com and follow us @SeaCatMobi
Photo credit: imcreator
Most Recent Articles
You Might Be Interested in Reading These Articles

The Security Vulnerability That Puts Millions of Application Backends at Risk. Yours Included
FoxGlove Security researchers published a serious vulnerability that can put millions of application backend, including mobile backend, at risk. Mobile applications use the same web-app technology for their backends, thus suffer the same vulnerability. Mobile application servers are inherently insecure because they consist of extensive stacks of software. Each piece can contain risky zero-day vulnerabilities.
Published on December 15, 2015

How to Teach Your Kids to Safely Play Pokemon GO
This summer something strange has occurred in my household. Suddenly, all of my children ranging in age from 9 to 18 are willingly piling into our van the minute I mention driving anywhere- even to the grocery store. And it’s not my company or the possibility of picking out this week’s cereal they are seeking. No, they are merely wanting a ride to aid them on their hunt for elusive Pokémon.
Published on August 30, 2016

4 Common Mobile Point of Sale (POS) Security Issues Affecting Retailers That POS Providers Need to Act On
As mobile point-of-sale applications and systems are picking up speed at retailers around the world replacing traditional one, they become appealing targets for cybercriminals allured by the amount of consumer data entered in POS systems whether through unauthorized access, mobile malware or hacking the backend.
Published on January 03, 2017