Apps and Software Security
Apps and software are what run on our PCs, phones, and other mobile devices. They allow us to do our work, complete school assignments, access entertainment and connect with the world. They are also easy ways for criminals to gain access to your devices and the information stored on them.
Best Practices
- Install all operating system, software, and app updates when prompted or better yet, leave automatic updating on
- Only allow apps and software to install from official sources (NOT from peer-to-peer [P2P] or torrent sites)
- Never download software from illegal file sharing sources
- Check mobile app privileges before buying and installing them
- Keep Software and Apps Up-to-Date
If you have an EKU-owned device we push important security patches to those devices. Once they are connected to the campus internet, the device will receive those.
However, most of us have a lot of devices not managed by the university. It is on these devices that we must keep updates happening. Updates patch holes in the software that can be exploited by criminals to steal your information and give you viruses and malware.
Check App Privileges
Free apps are a good way for criminals to get access to your device.
Mobile app stores—Google Play, App Store for iOS, and the Amazon App Store—list the access and app needs to work on your device before you can download an app. Think about why an app would need this access—does it make sense? Sometimes there are good reasons but sometimes that reason is just to collect information about you.
You should be especially careful when giving apps access to your:
- Camera
- Microphone
- Contact List
- GPS location
- Internet access
- Browsing history
External Links
Top 5 Mobile App Security Failures and How to Prevent Them
Request a refund for an App Store or iTunes Store purchase
