Why you should think before sharing your Mobile Number

This Women’s Day, eScan, one of the leading Anti-Virus and Content Security Solution providers, alerts women IT users to think before sharing their Mobile number

In this digital era, we have very popular cross-mobile messaging platform WhatsApp that has over 700 million people who now use it each month world-wide and its users send more than 30 billion messages per day. Even after Facebook acquisition, this mobile messaging service continues and is bigger than Twitter’s 284 million user base, Instagram that has around 300 million users and Facebook itself. This popularity has given rise to various promotionally activities mainly targeting WhatsApp users. The WhatsApp Bulk Marketing service promises to send out mass WhatsApp text/image messages to hundreds of thousands of users who use the app. As this service is considered as a popular platform that allows users to communicate with one another, more and more companies are opting for this service to reach to their target audience. But an important question to ask here should be – Is WhatsApp selling its users data?

Apparently, in an interview, Jan Koum, who co-founded WhatsApp with Brian Acton said that the messaging service collects very little data of its users. This free app does not ask for user’s e-mail address and does not even require a real sign up. The other things WhatsApp won’t collect are: home address, GPS location, your likes and search history. Moreover, he even added by saying that none of the user data has ever been collected and stored by WhatsApp, and that they really have no plans to collect and store user’s data. WhatsApp has even added encryption for messages sent amongst its millions of users in order to prevent messages from being hacked or monitored. If WhatsApp itself is not collecting and selling its users data then – from where are these companies getting the database (mobile numbers) of millions of WhatsApp users?

Let us consider events on which we give our number;

• We overshare our mobile number:

Anytime we fill a form, not many of us really hesitate to give out our mobile number-whether it’s a lucky draw, a signup form, contest entry, a warranty registration, or for social networking profile. Many of us also mention our phone number in the email signature. In such situations, there is always a chance that our mobile number can end up in someone else’s hands.

• Most of us accept ‘Terms of Use’ while installing any app:

Without even reading or understanding the ‘Terms of Use’, many IT users accept them. Few Apps such as flashlight app or almost all gaming apps does not require access to users call logs or even contacts. We do not realize however, there is a lot of information that we provide when we say ‘Yes, I accept’.

• Sharing mobile number on dating sites:

IT users sign up on dating and Romance sites and easily provide their mobile numbers. At times, many of us get emotionally carried away and share other details as well on such sites.

• Social media sites:

Social networking sites display phone number and e-mail address of users. This is another way how companies get our mobile number. Sometime back, Facebook admitted that 6 million of its members’ phone numbers and email addresses were accidentally leaked for a period of about a year. However, Facebook blamed the leaks on a technical glitch.

• Product warranty cards:

When a user register online for a new product that he/she wishes to purchase, the user needs to provide contact number, names, addresses and e-mails, which can be later sold to marketers and data brokers.

eScan suggests users what they can do to minimize this leakage of their mobile phone number.

• Never be in a hurry to disclose your phone number. Ask yourself if it is really required for you to give your number. Maybe your-email address is enough.
• Be careful when you register for contests and lucky draws. Read the fine print or contest terms closely that will specify whether the contest operators will sell your data to other companies.
• Be cautious when registering at websites. Ask yourself if the website registration really require your phone number.
• When downloading apps onto your Smartphone, read the privacy policy and access right information before you install the app. As mentioned earlier, some apps such as flashlight app does not require access to your call logs or even contacts.

As they say, our security is in our hands!

A very Happy Women’s Day to all from eScan.

Array Networks Introduces FIPS-Compliant Secure Access Gateway, Providing the Highest Level of Security for Application Access and Cloud Connectivity

Adding FIPS 140-2 Level 2 compliance, Array bolsters its reputation for superior security, scalability and price – performance and enhances its leadership position for SSL VPN

Milpitas, CA – March 5, 2015 – Array Networks Inc., a global leader in application delivery networking, today announced its FIPS 140-2 Level 2 compliant AG1500 Secure Access Gateway (SSL VPN). Array’s FIPS-compliant SSL VPN meets the needs of government agencies, cloud service providers, financial services firms, healthcare providers and other organizations where higher levels of security are required to achieve compliance with government regulations and industry-specific mandates.

The Array Networks AG1500FIPS provides enhanced security for SSL traffic by storing, processing, and encrypting both the keys and data in a hardware-secured module. In addition to providing enhanced security, Array’s dedicated hardware encryption delivers superior scalability for data center and cloud environments where large numbers of users require simultaneous access. For enterprises, cloud providers and government agencies that need to maintain compliance while cost-effectively managing growth, the AG1500FIPS supports up to 72,000 concurrent users and processes up to 9,000 new 2048-bit SSL transactions each second.

“FIPS 140-2 Level 2 compliance is a critical step in making Array’s leading SSL VPN and load balancing solutions available to the broadest cross section of customers,” stated Mr Paul Andersen, Director of Marketing for Array Networks. “We’ve had requests for FIPS not only from end user customers such as government, financial services and healthcare organizations, but also from cloud providers standing up dedicated data centers to serve federal business opportunities. With the new AG1500FIPS and the recently released APV6600FIPS application delivery controller(ADC), Array is positioned to meet stringent customer demands in both traditional and emerging cloud environments.”

Support for FIPS further strengthens Array’s market-leading value proposition for customers seeking secure, scalable and feature-rich solutions for providing remote and mobile access to applications, networks and cloud services:

• Security: Unlike organizations that fell prey to Heartbleed, man-in-the-middle (MITM), Shellshock and other recent OpenSSL-related vulnerabilities, customers using Array’s purpose-built SSL solutions were not exposed and did not require remediation.

• Scalability: AG1500FIPS scales up to 72,000 concurrent users, while the complete Array AG Series product line scales from 25 to 128,000 concurrent users. In addition, the AG Series supports up to 256 SSL VPN virtual portals, and delivers the best price-performance on the market from the entry-level AG1000 to the high-end AG1600.

• Features: Array’s advanced end-point security, access methods, authentication, authorization, auditing, server-side security, mobile device management, portal theme, administration capabilities and platform support for PCs, iOS and Android are unmatched by any other SSL VPN on the market.

The Array AG1500FIPS is available immediately, which includes dual power supplies and 10 gigabit fiber interfaces. For more information, contact Array Networks at sales-info@arraynetworks.com

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About Array Networks

Array Networks is a global leader in application delivery networking with over 5000 worldwide customer deployments. Powered by award-winning SpeedCore™ software, Array solutions are recognized by leading enterprise, service provider and public sector organizations for unmatched performance and total value of ownership. Array is headquartered in Silicon Valley, is backed by over 300 employees worldwide and is a profitable company with strong investors, management and revenue growth. Poised to capitalize on explosive growth in the areas of mobile and cloud computing, analysts and thought leaders including Deloitte, Red Herring and Frost & Sullivan have recognized Array Networks for its technical innovation, operational excellence and market opportunity. To learn more, visit www.arraynetworks.com

ADATA Launches IHSS312 Industrial Half-Slim SSD

Low-Cost High-Performance MO-297 Comes with Value-Added Software

MUMBAI, India – March 5, 2015 – ADATA^® Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash application products, today launches the IHSS312, a high-performance SATA III 6Gbps 22-pin half-slim SSD of MO-297 form factor, which is available in 8/16/32/64/128/256GB capacities to meet the varying needs of IPC embedded systems, healthcare, medical devices, kiosk/POS and factory automation.

Rugged Reliability and Durability at SSD Speed

Utilizing high-speed MLC NAND flash, ADATA’s IHSS312 provides excellent performance and reliability with a sequential read/write speed up to 500/125MB per second and MTBF of up to 1 million hours. Thanks to its industrial-grade operable temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, the IHSSS312 is ideal for harsh environments requiring long-term operation.

To fulfill performance and cost-saving demands for various industrial applications, ADATA has developed the A+ SLC solution to effectively improve the SSD’s performance, stability, and lifespan by more than three times when compared to a typical MLC format. This brings the SSD’s performance closer to SLC grade flash, but with a cost savings approaching 80%. 

A Perfect Integration of Hardware, Software and Firmware

For the greatest stability, the IHSS312 supports S.M.A.R.T. attributes that automatically detect the drive’s condition to effectively protect data, and “Power-Loss Protection (PLP)” helps to prevent data crashes caused by unexpected system failures. Additionally, ADATA’s value-added SSD Toolbox software enables users to check their SSD’s information and configure system settings quickly. The IHSS312 also offers Open API technology to monitor SSD attributes such as bad blocks, drive life, temperature, erase count, wear leveling and total data written.

ADATA has developed software, hardware and firmware, as well as its proprietary A+ flash testing methodology, packaging technology and SSD validation to meet the strictest industrial application requirements. Superior quality, customized service and prompt technical support back you up to provide the best solution for industrial devices.

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About ADATA
ADATA Technology, one of the world’s largest vendors of DRAM Modules and USB Flash Drives, provides complete memory solutions, including memory cards, solid state drives, and portable hard drives. ADATA products are internationally recognized by Germany’s if Design Award, red dot Award, CES Best of Innovations Award, Japan’s Good Design Award, Best Choice of Computex Award, and Taiwan Excellence Gold Award. The company’s slogan of Love, Life, Dreams, embodies the ADATA brand and the role of innovative memory products in the human pursuit of universally cherished ideas. For more information, please visit www.adata.com.