Official Mobile Security & Innovative Technologies Blog
This blog is managed/edited by Eric Everson. The purpose of this blog is to discuss common threats and solutions that exist within the mobile community in addition to the intricacies of innovative technologies and the markets therein.
Thank you for taking the time to review my blog; I am Eric Everson the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. In addition to my duties at MyMobiSafe, LLC I am also a full-time graduate student and mobile industry researcher. As a mobile security expert and innovative technologies leader, I am glad to answer any questions you may have: EricEverson@Hotmail.com
Friday 6 November 2009, 4:14 PM
Motorola Droid Drops Today: Happy Droid Day America!
Motorola Droid Drops Today: Happy Droid Day America!
Author: Eric Everson, Mobile Security Expert
If you’re wondering what all of the buzz is about with words like Droid and Android 2.0 circling about, you might think for a moment that there is a new George Lucas film that hit theaters. To the contrary, Motorola’s much anticipated Droid handset hits Verizon Wireless stores today in America. This is a hallmark handset that comes equipped with Google’s Android 2.0 MOPS (Mobile Operating System) and offers what some believe to be Verizon’s answer to the iPhone.
As the official Droid release email from Verizon promotes, “The phone that makes you feel like a four star general with natural charisma, twelve arms and the power of mind control is here and is ready to serve.” Okay so, they might be overselling it a little bit, but this Droid handset certainly pushes the competitive landscape forward within the mobile industry. Having taken some time to tinker with the handset, the quality that stands out the most in comparison to the iPhone is its ability to handle apps (applications). If you’re used to the lag of opening apps on your iPhone, the Droid will feel like a supersonic blast of Star Wars-like hyper-drive in your palm!
Also notable is the 5MP (mega pixel) camera feature which pushes the idea of the camera phone into new territory. While it might not compare to the rumored 12MP Nokia camera phone that is secretly said to be in development, you’ll certainly notice a difference in picture quality compared to the 3.2MP camera of the iPhone. The Droid has the look and also pushes handset design forward with such features as a touchscreen plus QWERTY slider keyboard to the next level. The Droid also comes out of the box with built-in access to Amazon’s MP3 store.
Compared to the thriving Apple App Store and iTunes platform, the novelty of an Android App Store seemingly falls flat, but in all fairness the Android community is still very young. As third-party mobile content developers continue to see opportunities to embrace this new market, they will likewise be motivated to develop more apps. I see a great opportunity here for Google to flex its creative muscle to answer the competitive advantage that the iPhone already has in place.
As your resident mobile security expert, I would be amiss not to acknowledge the undertone of growing security concerns regarding the Android 2.0 MOPS. Are there mobile security vulnerabilities to come? Of course, but as I’ve noted in the past, nobody in the MOPS industry addresses vulnerabilities as well as the Google team. As we uncover new vulnerabilities throughout the MOPS landscape, the Google team is consistently the fastest and most efficient to respond.
If you’re in the market for a new handset or you’re one of many Verizon customers that has been waiting patiently for a smartphone of this caliber to come along, I say to you Happy Droid Day! May the force be with you!
-Eric Everson “The MobileTech”
Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com
Author: Eric Everson, Mobile Security Expert
If you’re wondering what all of the buzz is about with words like Droid and Android 2.0 circling about, you might think for a moment that there is a new George Lucas film that hit theaters. To the contrary, Motorola’s much anticipated Droid handset hits Verizon Wireless stores today in America. This is a hallmark handset that comes equipped with Google’s Android 2.0 MOPS (Mobile Operating System) and offers what some believe to be Verizon’s answer to the iPhone.
As the official Droid release email from Verizon promotes, “The phone that makes you feel like a four star general with natural charisma, twelve arms and the power of mind control is here and is ready to serve.” Okay so, they might be overselling it a little bit, but this Droid handset certainly pushes the competitive landscape forward within the mobile industry. Having taken some time to tinker with the handset, the quality that stands out the most in comparison to the iPhone is its ability to handle apps (applications). If you’re used to the lag of opening apps on your iPhone, the Droid will feel like a supersonic blast of Star Wars-like hyper-drive in your palm!
Also notable is the 5MP (mega pixel) camera feature which pushes the idea of the camera phone into new territory. While it might not compare to the rumored 12MP Nokia camera phone that is secretly said to be in development, you’ll certainly notice a difference in picture quality compared to the 3.2MP camera of the iPhone. The Droid has the look and also pushes handset design forward with such features as a touchscreen plus QWERTY slider keyboard to the next level. The Droid also comes out of the box with built-in access to Amazon’s MP3 store.
Compared to the thriving Apple App Store and iTunes platform, the novelty of an Android App Store seemingly falls flat, but in all fairness the Android community is still very young. As third-party mobile content developers continue to see opportunities to embrace this new market, they will likewise be motivated to develop more apps. I see a great opportunity here for Google to flex its creative muscle to answer the competitive advantage that the iPhone already has in place.
As your resident mobile security expert, I would be amiss not to acknowledge the undertone of growing security concerns regarding the Android 2.0 MOPS. Are there mobile security vulnerabilities to come? Of course, but as I’ve noted in the past, nobody in the MOPS industry addresses vulnerabilities as well as the Google team. As we uncover new vulnerabilities throughout the MOPS landscape, the Google team is consistently the fastest and most efficient to respond.
If you’re in the market for a new handset or you’re one of many Verizon customers that has been waiting patiently for a smartphone of this caliber to come along, I say to you Happy Droid Day! May the force be with you!
-Eric Everson “The MobileTech”
Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com
Tuesday 3 November 2009, 6:15 PM
Mobile Security Profile: BlackBerry Storm2
Mobile Security Profile: BlackBerry Storm2
Author: Eric Everson
BlackBerry handsets are a staple of office culture; from syncing calendars to sharing business-related data, the BlackBerry handsets are seemingly everywhere you look around the office. Most recently BlackBerry introduced the Storm2, a second generation touchscreen handset into the market. As the resident mobile security guru, I wanted to take a deeper look at this handset to gauge its real mobile security profile in the corporate environment.
As mobile handsets have become ubiquitous within the business environment, significant levels of proprietary business data has migrated from the security of the computer-based environment into the vulnerable setting of the mobile handset. Simply put, mobile devices have become the weakest link in enterprise security, which is something that the BlackBerry Storm2 does little to address. In fact, the security specifications detailed at BlackBerry.com for the Storm 2 merely include two features: Password protection and Screen lock.
Like every BlackBerry the Storm2 should come with a barebones version of The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution. The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is a platform that can be purchased “with corporate data security in mind.” (BlackBerry.com; 2009) Essentially this is a security software offering that allows businesses to decide how much mobile security they are willing to pay for rather than a one size fits all security platform. There are pros and cons to this model, but it does allow a tailored approach for enterprise mobile security which many IT professionals enjoy.
If you are looking for a hacker-proof handset, the Storm 2 is built on the BlackBerry OS 5.0 MOPS (Mobile Operating System), which introduces the vulnerability that JavaScript has been enabled by default in the Internet browser. While no direct threat has been identified that exploits this feature, it is a prospective area of concern. From the standpoint of a standard (non-enterprise) user the security features of the Storm 2 will likely be sufficient.
If you’re simply looking for a new handset, many of the business/enterprise users of BlackBerry handsets will likely not find the Storm 2 as an adequate replacement for a handset such as the BlackBerry Tour. Some users have already reported less battery life than what is found on the Tour and many new users of the Storm 2 have complained that the audible clicks from using the touchscreen cannot be silenced. For anyone who “multitasks” on the BlackBerry while in meetings is sure to find the audible clicks as a serious annoyance.
Personally, I love the Storm 2 as a personal handset, but compared to the Tour (or other similar BlackBerry models), the Storm 2 is no enterprise handset. In short, Storm 2 is good for home but not so much for the office. On the bright side, the security profile of the Storm 2 can be tailored to fit the needs of the enterprise environment to the same degree as any other BlackBerry model.
Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com
Ref: http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrystorm/storm_specifications.jsp
Author: Eric Everson
BlackBerry handsets are a staple of office culture; from syncing calendars to sharing business-related data, the BlackBerry handsets are seemingly everywhere you look around the office. Most recently BlackBerry introduced the Storm2, a second generation touchscreen handset into the market. As the resident mobile security guru, I wanted to take a deeper look at this handset to gauge its real mobile security profile in the corporate environment.
As mobile handsets have become ubiquitous within the business environment, significant levels of proprietary business data has migrated from the security of the computer-based environment into the vulnerable setting of the mobile handset. Simply put, mobile devices have become the weakest link in enterprise security, which is something that the BlackBerry Storm2 does little to address. In fact, the security specifications detailed at BlackBerry.com for the Storm 2 merely include two features: Password protection and Screen lock.
Like every BlackBerry the Storm2 should come with a barebones version of The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution. The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is a platform that can be purchased “with corporate data security in mind.” (BlackBerry.com; 2009) Essentially this is a security software offering that allows businesses to decide how much mobile security they are willing to pay for rather than a one size fits all security platform. There are pros and cons to this model, but it does allow a tailored approach for enterprise mobile security which many IT professionals enjoy.
If you are looking for a hacker-proof handset, the Storm 2 is built on the BlackBerry OS 5.0 MOPS (Mobile Operating System), which introduces the vulnerability that JavaScript has been enabled by default in the Internet browser. While no direct threat has been identified that exploits this feature, it is a prospective area of concern. From the standpoint of a standard (non-enterprise) user the security features of the Storm 2 will likely be sufficient.
If you’re simply looking for a new handset, many of the business/enterprise users of BlackBerry handsets will likely not find the Storm 2 as an adequate replacement for a handset such as the BlackBerry Tour. Some users have already reported less battery life than what is found on the Tour and many new users of the Storm 2 have complained that the audible clicks from using the touchscreen cannot be silenced. For anyone who “multitasks” on the BlackBerry while in meetings is sure to find the audible clicks as a serious annoyance.
Personally, I love the Storm 2 as a personal handset, but compared to the Tour (or other similar BlackBerry models), the Storm 2 is no enterprise handset. In short, Storm 2 is good for home but not so much for the office. On the bright side, the security profile of the Storm 2 can be tailored to fit the needs of the enterprise environment to the same degree as any other BlackBerry model.
Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com
Ref: http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrystorm/storm_specifications.jsp
Tuesday 27 October 2009, 5:48 PM
Google ABC’s… I Like
My company has been listed in Google’s auto-complete web services for a long time; if you type in “MyMobiS” you’ll see the auto-complete for my brand MyMobiSafe.com. For some of the most popular web searches however, they’ve penetrated the coveted Google ABC’s… which is when you type just one letter “A, B, C,…” their brand is the first to show in the auto-complete.
For fun, do a Google search and type in the letter A, what you’ll find to no surprise is “Amazon” as the first auto-complete suggestion.
What about the other brands that pop up? Here is a little list I made and some of the auto-complete brands might surprise you.
A=Amazon
B=Best Buy
C=Craigslist
D=Dictionary
E=Ebay
F=Facebook
G=Gmail
H=Hotmail
I=IMDB
J=Jet Blue
K=Kohls
L=Lowes
M=Mapquest
N=Netflix
O=Old Navy
P=Pandora
Q= Quotes
R=Realtor.com
S=Southwest Airlines
T=Target
U=USPS
V=Verizon Wireless
W=Walmart
X=XM Radio
Y=Youtube
Z=Zillow
While the Google auto-complete feature may make you question how some sites/searches take priority (as a fun example type “I like” into Google to see the funniest auto-complete priority around) the reality is that it means mega hits for the sites that make it into the priority. Interestingly enough, despite having spent tons of money in the beginning advertising with Google for MyMobiSafe.com, we didn’t seem to make it into the Google auto-complete directory until I had published a blog regarding an operational vulnerability within Google’s Android Mobile Operating System… go figure???
If you want to take a website global, the reality is that people need to be able to find it and that is exactly where Google fits into foreign market entry. Does your firm appear in Google’s auto-complete feature? Whether you’re a small business or a multinational, the reality is that if you don’t have an accessible website, you will struggle and likely suffocate as the business domain continues its digital expansion. Who will emerge as a titan of mobile search? Will Google struggle in this unique landscape of mobile search just as Microsoft has with their mobile operating system?
BTW…
I Like= i like to tape my thumbs to my hands to see what it would be like to be a dinosaur
Cheers,
Eric Everson - If technology is the wave of the future, then call Surfer Magazine because my board is waxed and I’m in the barrel!
For fun, do a Google search and type in the letter A, what you’ll find to no surprise is “Amazon” as the first auto-complete suggestion.
What about the other brands that pop up? Here is a little list I made and some of the auto-complete brands might surprise you.
A=Amazon
B=Best Buy
C=Craigslist
D=Dictionary
E=Ebay
F=Facebook
G=Gmail
H=Hotmail
I=IMDB
J=Jet Blue
K=Kohls
L=Lowes
M=Mapquest
N=Netflix
O=Old Navy
P=Pandora
Q= Quotes
R=Realtor.com
S=Southwest Airlines
T=Target
U=USPS
V=Verizon Wireless
W=Walmart
X=XM Radio
Y=Youtube
Z=Zillow
While the Google auto-complete feature may make you question how some sites/searches take priority (as a fun example type “I like” into Google to see the funniest auto-complete priority around) the reality is that it means mega hits for the sites that make it into the priority. Interestingly enough, despite having spent tons of money in the beginning advertising with Google for MyMobiSafe.com, we didn’t seem to make it into the Google auto-complete directory until I had published a blog regarding an operational vulnerability within Google’s Android Mobile Operating System… go figure???
If you want to take a website global, the reality is that people need to be able to find it and that is exactly where Google fits into foreign market entry. Does your firm appear in Google’s auto-complete feature? Whether you’re a small business or a multinational, the reality is that if you don’t have an accessible website, you will struggle and likely suffocate as the business domain continues its digital expansion. Who will emerge as a titan of mobile search? Will Google struggle in this unique landscape of mobile search just as Microsoft has with their mobile operating system?
BTW…
I Like= i like to tape my thumbs to my hands to see what it would be like to be a dinosaur
Cheers,
Eric Everson - If technology is the wave of the future, then call Surfer Magazine because my board is waxed and I’m in the barrel!
Tuesday 20 October 2009, 5:32 PM
Intel-iquette: Intel Releases Mobile Etiquette Report
Intel-iquette: Intel Releases Mobile Etiquette Report
Author: Eric Everson
Perhaps you too get annoyed with movie goers that constantly check and text through the film. It’s a dark theater and that bright screen certainly presents a distraction, so this mobile etiquette report by Intel certainly hits close to home for many of us.
As CNBC Correspondent Julia Boorstin, notes, “The chip giant commissioned a "Holiday Mobile Etiquette," hiring Harris Interactive to conduct a carefully weighted poll of 2,625 adults to better understand how people use technology, so it can better create and adapt its products to serve the fast-changing consumer.”
What does this report suggest about the future of wireless? Considering that it was commissioned by a chip manufacturer and not an exclusive wireless handset manufacturer, I think it speaks volumes to where this company is positioning its chips for the future. Can we look for the Dell-Intel partnership to carry over into wireless? I sure hope so!
While I can’t help but look toward the future, this report begs the question, what mobile etiquette (or lack there of) drives you crazy?
Cheers,
Eric Everson – "The MobileTech"
Eric Everson is a leading mobile technologies analyst and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with research related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com.
Ref:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/33379536
Author: Eric Everson
Perhaps you too get annoyed with movie goers that constantly check and text through the film. It’s a dark theater and that bright screen certainly presents a distraction, so this mobile etiquette report by Intel certainly hits close to home for many of us.
As CNBC Correspondent Julia Boorstin, notes, “The chip giant commissioned a "Holiday Mobile Etiquette," hiring Harris Interactive to conduct a carefully weighted poll of 2,625 adults to better understand how people use technology, so it can better create and adapt its products to serve the fast-changing consumer.”
What does this report suggest about the future of wireless? Considering that it was commissioned by a chip manufacturer and not an exclusive wireless handset manufacturer, I think it speaks volumes to where this company is positioning its chips for the future. Can we look for the Dell-Intel partnership to carry over into wireless? I sure hope so!
While I can’t help but look toward the future, this report begs the question, what mobile etiquette (or lack there of) drives you crazy?
Cheers,
Eric Everson – "The MobileTech"
Eric Everson is a leading mobile technologies analyst and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with research related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com.
Ref:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/33379536
Thursday 8 October 2009, 6:15 PM
Dell goes Android…Another Mobile Setback for Microsoft?
Dell goes Android…Another Mobile Setback for Microsoft?
Author: Eric Everson
The king of the computer-based Operating System market has struggled to acquire the same level of success and scalability within the wireless industry. For years Windows Mobile has taken a back seat to other Mobile Operating Systems (MOPS) and most recently the introduction of Google’s Android marks a serious threat to Microsoft’s future in this segment.
Windows Mobile admittedly is not a bad environment, but at the edge of innovation, Android likewise ups the ante. One of the key attractions to Andriod from a developer’s perspective is that accessibility and control granted via the Android SDK. While some content can be developed in Microsoft’s free Windows Mobile SDK, there is much more creative control via the Android SDK.
For mobile users greater SDK flexibility translates to a greater variety of available third party content, something that the iPhone has brought to a whole new level. As Dell is tapping deeper into the mobile industry they’ve recently announced that they’ll be bringing an Android-based handset to market next year. While many loyal Dell users are anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Dell phone to complement their technology suite, this news creates a serious ripple in the mobile waters for Microsoft. The issues between Dell and Microsoft have seemed escalated since the disastrous debut of Vista, so it’s not a huge surprise that Dell is looking for a new avenue to embrace their mobile debut.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Microsoft needs to seriously start pulling in some fresh blood or this is sure to be another nail in its wireless coffin. Google is taking aim!
Your innovative tech insider!
Eric Everson – The MobileTech
Eric Everson is a leading mobile technologies researcher and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with research related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com.
Author: Eric Everson
The king of the computer-based Operating System market has struggled to acquire the same level of success and scalability within the wireless industry. For years Windows Mobile has taken a back seat to other Mobile Operating Systems (MOPS) and most recently the introduction of Google’s Android marks a serious threat to Microsoft’s future in this segment.
Windows Mobile admittedly is not a bad environment, but at the edge of innovation, Android likewise ups the ante. One of the key attractions to Andriod from a developer’s perspective is that accessibility and control granted via the Android SDK. While some content can be developed in Microsoft’s free Windows Mobile SDK, there is much more creative control via the Android SDK.
For mobile users greater SDK flexibility translates to a greater variety of available third party content, something that the iPhone has brought to a whole new level. As Dell is tapping deeper into the mobile industry they’ve recently announced that they’ll be bringing an Android-based handset to market next year. While many loyal Dell users are anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Dell phone to complement their technology suite, this news creates a serious ripple in the mobile waters for Microsoft. The issues between Dell and Microsoft have seemed escalated since the disastrous debut of Vista, so it’s not a huge surprise that Dell is looking for a new avenue to embrace their mobile debut.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Microsoft needs to seriously start pulling in some fresh blood or this is sure to be another nail in its wireless coffin. Google is taking aim!
Your innovative tech insider!
Eric Everson – The MobileTech
Eric Everson is a leading mobile technologies researcher and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with research related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com.
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