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View Full Version : New Appoozle Pro for Android Identifies User Mobile App Security Threats



thelostone
09-09-2011, 04:07 PM
Found this app and thought it might be usefull to someone
Identifying dangerous mobile device applications just got a lot easier with the launch of Appoozle Pro on the Android Marketplace (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.meritapps.appoozlepro). For ?2.18, the app enables users to identify permissions that their mobile applications seek and could possibly compromise their privacy. Some of these permissions are not needed for functionality of the app and include access to personal contacts, calendar, or the ability to make phone calls and send text messages for a broad range of non-functionality related purposes.
Appoozle, a business unit of Merit Apps, Inc., evaluates thousands of mobile applications including social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, LivingSocial, Yelp, Foursquare, Myspace and Groupon, and games such Angry Birds and identifies the "permissions" they require from users who download them.
"Most app users have no idea of the extent to which their privacy and security could be compromised simply by downloading a mobile phone application," said Sandeep Davankar, Corporate Strategy Officer for Merit Apps, the parent company of Appoozle. "Few people realize they are also granting permissions that let companies access their SD cards and track their contacts, phone calls, buying habits and much more."
Davankar added that malicious applications and hackers can use this access to send user data to other people and to access email accounts, including sent and received messages, contacts, usernames and passwords.
Appoozle evaluates the permissions applications request and divides each app into one of three categories: Safe, Caution and Warning. Currently, Appoozle offers information for Android-based devices and is working to expand its efforts to include other mobile platforms.
Appoozle Pro works is only available for Android phones since Apple does not provide the specific permissions the Apps obtain from consumers. iPhone, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and other operation system users are recommended to visit the Android section of the Appoozle website to understand the permissions and exposures faced when downloading apps from their specific app markets. By uninstalling apps which potentially compromise privacy and personal information, consumers can send a strong signal to app developers that it's time to bring systemic change to make Apps safer and prevent nuisance and potentially serious harm from compromising privacy.