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Think before you ink

Kirsten Doyle
By Kirsten Doyle, ITWeb contributor.
Johannesburg, 23 Jan 2017
Yusuph Kileo, a cybersecurity and digital forensics expert from Tanzania.
Yusuph Kileo, a cybersecurity and digital forensics expert from Tanzania.

This year, more data leaks from mobile devices through suspicious mobile applications and fake WiFi access points should be anticipated.

So says Yusuph Kileo, a cyber security and digital forensics expert from Tanzania, and MD and board member, Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), who will be presenting on 'Incident management, cyber forensics, and investigation' during the ITWeb Security Summit 2017, from 15 to 19 May, at Vodaworld, Midrand.

"I have spoken many times about the danger of mobile applications and free WiFi," says Kileo, urging everyone to pay close attention, scrutinise the list of permissions when installing new mobile applications, and to be cautious when using free WiFi.

Speaking of the danger of using mobile applications, he says not all mobile applications are good. Some steal data, which causes snooping and spying from our devices. He says before installing, users should read the warnings. "You will see an application saying, for example, that it needs to go through your contacts, files and pictures some even warn that they can take a picture of you. However, most people just accept, and carry on installing them."

Kileo warns about free public WiFi, such as that in airports and other public places. Although it there for a good reason - to provide Internet access to users for free - cyber criminals are using these networks to eavesdrop on data transferred from one mobile device or laptop to another. "This causes all that we type on our devices to end up in wrong hands."

He says this may include passwords, or online banking performed while using public WiFi where cyber criminals can set up a way to capture the data transferred and end up taking control of our accounts. "While using public WiFi, people should be careful not to carry our any sensitive or confidential transactions that would be damaging if the information falls into the wrong hands."

He also advises to use secure passwords and be cautious when using public WiFi, opening e-mails and visiting Web sites.

His organisation has pushed for warnings on mobile applications and encourages users to read them before installing such apps, he adds. "Even more importantly we urge users to only install applications they truly need and only those applications that come from a reputable source.

"We also expect a rise in "CEO e-mail scams" - in which fraudsters impersonate senior executives of companies and send e-mails to trick staff into transferring funds to them."

Kileo says his organisation has seen a rise in similar scams using short messages sent via mobile devices in Tanzania, where cyber criminals use someone's number to request money.

"During my recent interview with a local radio station named Radio One Stereo, I urged users to verify whenever they receive massages or mails requesting money or personal details. We should not just respond without getting proper verification."

Lastly, he urges every one of us to 'think' before we 'ink'. "We should always think twice before writing or posting on social media and other digital platforms."

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