Starbucks Mobile Payment App Stores Unencrypted Passwords

Starbucks Mobile Payment App Stores Unencrypted Passwords

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jan 16, 2014

Starbucks Mobile Payment App Stores Unencrypted PasswordsStanding in line at Starbucks, I frequently see people whipping out their smartphones and scanning them to pay for their specialty coffee beverages and treats via the Starbucks mobile payment app. This, along with friends telling me I should, has almost convinced me to download the app, which would enable me to pay for my addiction directly from my smartphone, too. But, when I found out that this app linked to my bank account, this made me think twice. And, I’m sure glad that I did.

Apparently there is a report circulating in which Starbucks executives admit that the mobile app stores passwords in clear text, with no encryption whatsoever! Simply connect any smartphone with Starbucks’ mobile payment app downloaded onto it to a computer, and anyone can easily retrieve the password from a crash log.

As if that’s not bad enough, as of yesterday, it appeared that Starbucks had no intention of fixing the problem. Starbucks executives told the media that the company has “taken steps to safeguard customers’ information;” however these “steps” haven’t been identified publically. Besides, in order for a criminal to cause any damage, they would need to have physical possession of a user’s smartphone. Now, I don’t know about you, but trying to pry my smartphone from me is like trying to chisel concrete with a metal toothpick! I guess it could happen, but it’s not very likely.

While the Starbucks’ app only risks usernames, passwords and email addresses, moving over to “eating fresh,” Subway’s Ordering for California app stores complete street addresses, credit card info, email address and geolocation of app users in plain text.

Wonder what other fast food apps aren’t encrypted.

ARTICLE UPDATE: Starbucks CIO Curt Gartner issued a press statement saying that although “there is no indication that any customer has been impacted by this or that any information has been compromised” Starbucks will update its mobile payment app.

(Photo Credit: Sean Wandzilak / Shutterstock.com)

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.