Don't Give Your Apps An All-Access Pass!

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

Your mobile device could be gathering all of your personal information!

APP SECURITY

Keep tabs on your apps

Have you noticed that apps you recently downloaded are asking for permission to access your device’s microphone, camera, contacts, photos or other features? Or that an app you rarely use is draining your battery life?

Your mobile device could be filled with suspicious apps running in the background or using default permissions you never realized you approved - gathering your personal information without your knowledge while also putting your identity and privacy at risk. Don’t give your apps an all-access pass. The following are some steps to avoid “over-privileged” apps:

• Check your app permissions and use the “rule of least privilege” to delete what you don’t need or no longer use.

• Learn to just say “no” to privilege requests that don’t make sense.

• Only download apps from trusted sources.

Enable automatic app updates in your device settings or when they pop up, because having the most up-to-date software doesn’t just make things run smoother—it helps keep you patched and protected against ever-evolving cyber threats!

*This information is courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security as part of the 2018 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.