iPhone Encryption App Data a Major Flaw in Travel Apps

iPhone Encryption Data a Major Flaw in Travel Apps

A new report says the 10 most popular travel apps for iPhone and Android devices are severely flawed

  • By Matt Holden
  • Sep 15, 2015

A new report from Bluebox Security says the top 10 travel apps in the iOS and Android app stores are all riddled with security flaws. Bluebox says encryption app data, insufficient protection against man-in-the-middle attacks, and leftover administration or debugging code are the biggest issues for the iPhone and Android devices.

Of those flaws, a lack of encryption for app data at rest was the biggest problem, according to Andrew Blaich, lead security analyst at Bluebox Security.

"It only works when the device is off," said Blaich. "But while the device is running, the data can be stolen by other malicious apps -- or by someone grabbing the device from your hand."

In total, only one of the top 10 Android apps encrypted data, and none of the iOS apps encrypted data. Online one of the iPhone apps used certificate pinning encryption, which checks to see if the app is exchanging information with the right clients.

Travel apps are a particularly sensitive target because these apps hold personal data, financial data, loyalty program data, as well as travel itineraries.

"It's really important to understand what they're doing to protect this data," Blaich said.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

Featured

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • 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.”