Apple, Google not doing enough to fight app-store malware, say security experts

guest · Nov 12, 2019

Apple, Google not doing enough to fight app-store malware, say security experts
'They need to change their strategy,' says malware expert Arash Habibi Lashkari
November 12, 2019
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/app-stores-malware-cybersecurity-cellphones-1.5351280

Cybersecurity experts say companies like Apple and Google need to do more to protect malware from sneaking into their app stores.

"In the last couple of months, we've seen a dramatic spike and particularly what happens is they're getting better at sneaking things into app stores," said David Shipley, CEO of Beauceron Security, a cybersecurity software firm based in Fredericton.
The problem is most app stores don't do a thorough security check on the apps they offer, said Arash Habibi Lashkari, a professor who studies malware at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity at the University of New Brunswick.

He said for the average citizen, the most common way for their cellphones to become infected is through app stores.
Lashkari said adding extra security to app stores is expensive. He said more people need to be hired to review apps or new programs need to be designed to detect malicious software, which is why he believes companies don't make more security improvements.
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Stricter laws needed, says professor
Shipley said it's difficult to hold companies accountable for damages after malware tears through a cellphone because the terms of service for using the device say the companies aren't liable.
"They don't really face many consequences if malware gets on your phone from the app store," he said.

"It's incredibly lucrative to do these kinds of crimes and more and more people with just average skills are engaging in cybercrime, so be careful, you can be a target."
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Apple, Google not doing enough to fight app-store malware, say security experts

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