Check your HTC phone for possible security problems
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Better Business Bureau's Dale Dixon explains why phones made by HTC have some could have some problems you'll want to take care of. Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com
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See what the BBB has to say about phone made by HTC:
HTC America has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that the
company failed to take "reasonable steps" to secure software it developed for its
smartphones and tablets, introducing security flaws that placed sensitive information about
millions of consumers at risk. HTC America has promised to patch handsets that were left vulnerable to security risks as part of its settlement with the FTC.
The FTC complaint alleged that HTC America had "failed to provide its engineering staff with
adequate security training, failed to review or test the software on its mobile devices for
potential security vulnerabilities, failed to follow well-known and commonly accepted secure coding practices, and failed to establish a process for receiving and addressing vulnerability
reports from third parties."
The FTC also detailed specific handset issues including "the insecure implementation of
two logging applications - Carrier IQ and HTC Loggers - as well as programming flaws that
would allow third-party applications to bypass Android’s permission-based security model,"
the watchdog added.
HTC devices that shipped running Android 4.0/Sense 4 software (or later) already include
the security fix. The FTC said the patches are already being rollout by HTC and operators in the US.
In reaching the settlement, HTC America neither confirmed nor denied any of the allegations put forward by the FTC.
Here are a few practical tips from BBB to secure your mobile devices:
§ Lock your phone. If your phone is lost or stolen, your personal information is at
risk. Add a security code to your phone to prevent thieves from accessing your data.
Then set your device to lock automatically when not in use for a specified time.
§ Update your operating system. Those alerts on your smart phone that tell you
to update your apps and operating system are more than just a minor annoyance.
These updates close security loopholes and other backdoors hackers can use to
access your phone without your knowledge.
§ Avoid unsecured Wi-Fi. If you choose to connect to an unsecured or public Wi-Fi
network, do not enter any passwords or access any personal data. Bad guys can use
such networks as an easy means to hack your device.
The BBB has more tips to protecting your money, personal information, and identity.
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