On one hand, unimaginable inventions and on the other, we have become helpless people to comprehend the technology we invent. The Smartphones supplemented with the supporting software and the Apps are today the most extraordinarily powerful and useful devices we have. Today, where efficiency and speed matter most, the Smartphones and Smartphone Apps have all the requisite features inbuilt to smoothen and strengthen our life styles. However, an authentic report published about the data leak perpetrated by the Smartphone Apps has sent panic signals to the users and questions about the level of security which is now under the scanner. The users are pondering on how to check if the Smartphone App is leaking closely guarded personal data which may also include valuable banking details. The real point of concern was about the destination to where the details were leaked. The use of smartphones is increasing day by day and the users could belong to Government, public or private sectors and what would happen if sensitive data is misused by pranksters?
Mobilescope, the perfect solution
Researcher, Ashkan Soltani along with fellow researchers David Campbell and Aldo Cortesi has developed a new service called Mobilescope based on the platform-agnostic interception mechanism that could be used on Android, Blackberry or any windows device. This device prompts the smartphone users to examine all the data that an app transfers and specially alerts the user when key information such as the user’s name or e-mail is transmitted. This helps the users to know about the Apps leaking data to outside recipients. This device won a best app created award on the first proof evaluation at a convocation organized by, The Wall Street Journal.
Mobilescope – Style of functioning
Mobilescope works through the net and is not given as an additional device or fitment. After signing in, the user can see the total logs of data transferred by the apps. He can then specify ‘canaries’ wherein when the app tries to send out sensitive information like phone number, email or name then an alert is triggered immediately. Whichever apps the user has opted for, like the smartphone apps for business, personal apps, malware apps or spyware apps, Mobilescope is designed to thoroughly monitor the transmission of or misuse of personalized data.
Mobilescope – A closer look
On signing up for Mobilescope, a configuration link is sent to the device. These link files route all the internet traffic to a mobilescope server so that the data in circulation is thoroughly scrutinized.
Mobilescope – conclusion
It may not be 100% foolproof but with sincere efforts from developers, effective privacy statements and standard mobile operating systems, the innocent and unsuspecting could go about their routine without having to keep their fingers crossed or stay with a worry of being spied or looted.