Mobile Security: Could Personal Images On Smartphones Become a Target For Hackers?
In the wake of NetQin’s big news, we thought we would check in on our friend and frequent guest-blogger Geoff Casely, Managing Director EMEA at NetQin and see what was on his mind. It just so happened he had something he wanted to talk about. Enjoy!
Like many of the 10+ million Samsung Galaxy S2 owners, I am blown away by its giant screen and superb 8MP HD camera. As a photography enthusiast for many years, I find the quality of the S2 to be so good that on many occasions in the last three months I’ve owned it, I’ve used it as the more convenient and “connected” alternative to taking digital cameras with me to social gatherings.
A few days ago, I was browsing through the numerous cherished, often cute and funny moments captured on my S2 over the holidays. Suddenly, a rather chilling realization struck me. The images I was looking at were no longer just random pictures. Combined, they now represent (more than ever before) an incredibly detailed and highly intimate chronicle of my life.
I rigidly observe important personal security housekeeping policies, including regular backups, PIN access security, remote locate and lock delete services, so I am not especially concerned about the physical loss of my device. But what if my device was hacked and these images fell into the wrong hands? The possible consequences could be catastrophic.
Through the sinister eyes of a criminal, these images contain a wealth of priceless intelligence. For example, they would quickly see what I look like, where I live, if I live alone or with others, even if I have a dog. They would know what my house looks like inside and out and what car I drive, as well as the cool new TV and possessions I have. My pictures also show where I work, where I socialize, if I have kids, and if so, how old and how many? If an expert criminal were to look closely, I’m sure they could even see what types of locks, alarms and security I have in my home. All of this insight could be garnished from just three months of images.
As the growing need for mobile security becomes an increasingly discussed topic, much of the media emphasis on this subject matter seems to focus around general classifications of mobile risks, mainly highlighting obvious consequences of direct financial loss or privacy breach.
But the potential risks associated with the latter clearly extend way beyond whether privacy information is malevolently taken; or whether a user inadvertently gives certain applications permission to access personal information, such as location or address books. It’s how personal data held on the device “could be” used in conjunction with this information that is perhaps the greatest concern here.
As the attentions of increasingly sophisticated hackers and cyber criminals zero in on the vast and ever-expanding Android ecosystem, it is hard to predict how new dimensions of threats will manifest themselves and the resulting impact on the mobile population.
With hi-res full HD cameras fast becoming the norm in most smartphones, it really does beg the question: Will personal images themselves become a target for hackers and become yet one more area of risk faced by smartphone users across the globe?
If you’re like me and can’t live without your HD camera, take a moment to consider the privacy and security risks associated with it. Take another moment to download a strong mobile security app (NQ Mobile Security is a great free app) and then enjoy the camera worry-free for the rest of your life.
After all, why take chances with your identity and your valuable data when you really don’t have to?
You can follow Geoff Casely on Twitter @geoffcasely
