Student Tribune
Using Mobile Apps Safely
You may have heard about Starbucks App being Vulnerable to Fraud. In this
report, we learn that one quarter of Starbucks' sales are made through the
Starbucks app. Do you have the app? If you do, the best advice is to remove
it.
The individual featured in this report is an editor with BuzzFeed News,
Vanessa Wong. Interestingly enough, while she was working on a story about a
data breach at Chipotle, she received an email alert from Starbucks thanking
her for replenishing her card balance by adding another $100. Given that she
had no recollection of doing this, she checked her app that showed purchases
made in San Diego, depleting her funds. Well, she was in New York City when the
San Diego purchases cleaned out her account. My thought is that Ms. Wong must
have had her credit card tied to her Starbucks card, and set to automatically
replenish.
Hackers steal login information and sell it online to other criminals.
According to Ms. Wong, this happened to Starbucks customers in 2015 as well.
Starbucks told people not to use the same userID and password for all accounts,
and to go change their passwords. So, who is responsible? In my opinion, the
end-user, Ms. Wong, is ultimately responsible for her security on her
device.
Information security requires a constant state of vigilance. Change your
passwords regularly, and use strong passwords.
How to use Apps Safely
There are so many apps out on the market. Most require userID and password.
So, if you don't "need" an app, don't download it. Be selective. Consider the
value of the app vs the potential danger. Try not to store your password in
your apps. It's a pain, but enter it every time. If possible, select two-factor
identification. Information security is up to you. Even the strongest password
is not enough. You have to change it regularly, and you have to use good
judgment always.
Here are some links to YouTube videos about using strong passwords. All
feature closed-captioning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=-8miO1vcFBE
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=8rkd9X68Pic
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=94HV_MtDTis
Pogroszewski, Donna
Communications and Network Services
05/17/2017