Mobile apps sure are handy little doodads, telling you what's going on, where to go and who's nearby. But can they be trusted with your privacy?
Facebook and Google aren't the only connected services that should have your privacy antennae up. The mobile devices that travel with you nearly everywhere also gather plenty of dirt -- and you might be surprised who else has access to that dirt.
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What do you need to be aware of? According to the application security firm Veracode, there are four levels of risk to watch out for. Some apps with malicious code can access your data and device sensors. Other times, your information can be intercepted if you use mobile Wi-Fi. Jailbroken iPhone and Android apps can penetrate your operating system. And bad guys can use faulty firmware to gain administrative access to your device itself.
But people are beginning to become more aware of how and why to protect their privacy when it comes to mobile apps. In March, a class action lawsuit was filed against 18 companies including Facebook, Apple and Twitter for privacy negligence.
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Why is mobile app privacy more important than ever? Simply put, apps are everywhere. In 2011, approximately 25 billion Android and iOS apps were downloaded and the mobile app market saw its millionth entry.
Veracode put together the infographic below to give a comprehensive rundown on mobile app security. Check it out, then share with us in the comments -- How much attention do you give your mobile apps' privacy settings?
This story originally published on Mashable here.
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