Black Friday/ Cyber Monday Advice

Make sure you know what app you are downloading. Sounds simple but you would be surprised how many mock apps there are, and how easily you can be fooled. An easy way to ensure you are downloading the right app- before downloading scroll to the bottom checkout the “version history”, “developer website”, “privacy policy” and “developer apps” options, make sure they all seem legitimate.

Try not to connect to free Wi-Fi as hackers will be out on the prowl this coming season. It is expected that there will be nearly 30% of spending this Friday/ Monday through mobile devices. A company called Skycure has cited several analysts that

predict there will be 3x as many mobile payments in 2016 as there were in 2015 on Black Friday and Cyber Monday (http://www.networkworld.com/article/3143460/internet/holiday-shopping-by-phone-beware-fake-e-commerce-apps-and-bad-wi-fi-hotspots.html). If there is a Wi-Fi network named after a store that you are nowhere near- don’t connect.

Take the data overage charge from your network, it’s worth it in the long run.

The rapid increase on mobile devices has not only increased due to convenience but also because of the amount of time Americans spend on their mobile devices. Put yourself in a shopper’s perspective- if you are at store and see a deal you like, you are going to grab your phone and look up other prices on similar items to ensure you are getting the best deal. Your phone is already out. Users aren’t going to take the time to grab another device like a laptop to purchase said item. Hackers know this. They will invest their time where the money is. As I stated in another article I wrote, 2017 will be the year of the mobile hack and it starts with this holiday season. Whether it be the info hosted by a company’s mobile app or an individual user’s information no one is safe. Hopefully these retail apps have taken the time to invest in the right security to keep your information safe with RASP (RUNTIME APPLICATION SELF PROTECTION- shameless plug).

To review:

-Double check the (retail) app you are downloading, make sure it is legitimate.

-Do not connect to ANY free Wi-Fi- you are being watched

- Update your mobile device to the newest software available (didn’t mention above, but do it)

I just read a great article on networkworld.com that highlights a lot of similar information I suggest you check it out.

Written by: Daniel Kehew

MS. Homeland Security Concentration Cyber Security and Intelligence

MS. Homeland Security Concentration Digital Forensics