PRIVACY AND SECURITY RISKS IN

MOBILE AD LIBRARIES

Joseph Eckstrom

The issue A Dr. Xuxian Jiang at NCSU studied

100,000 apps and the ad libraries that they used. He made some unsettling discoveries.

These apps obviously pose a serious security risk.

Decision-Making Process Step 1:

App developers are opening the door to malware and hackers.

Step 2:The user and the developer are the main parties.

Step 3:Three possible options are to,

○ 1: Disallow all ads in mobile apps.○ 2: Force developers to filter malicious ads.○ 3: Leave it to Google and Apple to protect their

systems.

Decision-Making Process (2) Step 4:

Anyone developing a mobile application should abide by this solution.

Step 5:This solution seems like the natural solution,

and seems balanced between the parties. Step 6:

App Developers may not be happy with it, but most will agree.

Decision-Making Process (3) Step 7:

I feel completely committed to this solution. Step 8:

This solution leans towards pragmatism.

ACM Code Application 1.2: Avoid Harm to Others Possibly 1.7: Respect the Privacy of

Others 2.5: Give comprehensive and thorough

evaluations of computer systems and their impacts, including analysis of possible risks.

References Shipman, Matt. "Study: Including Ads in

Mobile Apps Poses Privacy, Security Risks." NC State News. NC State University, 19 Mar. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/wms-jiang-app-ads/>.

Barger, Robert N. Computer Ethics, A Case-Based Approach. New York, NY: Cambridge UP, 2008. Print.