Android Archives - Latest News from Backup Technology

Spotify has become the latest company that has been successfully targeted by hackers which has resulted in all users using the Android mobile app being forced to upgrade in the next few days.

It has been confirmed that only one Spotify user’s data was accessed by the hackers but did not contain password credentials, financial or payment information.

The repercussions of this data breach have resulted in a portion of its 40million customer base having to re-enter their login credentials. Spotify has also confirmed that they plan on beefing up the security on their systems in an attempt to improve security for its users. So far, those using Spotify on the iOS and Windows Phone operating systems do not need to take any action.

Chief technology officer, Oskar Stål, stated, “We’ve become aware of some unauthorised access to our systems and internal company data. Our evidence shows that only one Spotify user’s data has been accessed and this did not include any password, financial or payment information. We have contacted this one individual. Based on our findings, we are not aware of any increased risk to users as a result of this incident.”

Ross Brewer who is the vice president and managing director of international markets at LogRhythm believes that this latest incident proves that organisations still don’t have the appropriate security defences in place to protect themselves against cyber-attacks.

Brewer stated, “While this Spotify attack appears to be relatively minor in terms of customer impact, particularly when compared to last week’s eBay furore, it still raises questions about how equipped these companies are to keep our personal information safe.”

Brewer added, “Spotify’s statement makes no reference to when the compromise was discovered, simply that it acted immediately. Given only one user’s data appears to have been accessed, one has to question whether this announcement is a knee-jerk reaction to the criticism surrounding eBay’s slow disclosure. Whatever Spotify’s reasoning, the organisation has to be commended for shrugging off the stigma attached and ensuring the breach didn’t reach the catastrophic proportions of others like it.”

This incident shows the importance of ensuring that you have the strongest security defences in place as hackers are developing new sophisticated attacks at an unprecedented rate. It is also vital that a robust backup solution is in place so data can be recovered no matter if it is deleted or modified by a hacker.

The Windows phone has been the outcast of the smart phone play ground pretty much ever since it was released. Chucked in at the deep end, with the already established swimmers Apple and Android to contend with, the Windows phone has had to play catch up for all of its existence.

However, there are those who now believe that the Windows phone is finally coming into its own, as handsets become more attractive, and the overall appeal of the Windows mobile OS gathers pace. The other benefit of going with Windows is the integration with all other Windows devices, such as Microsoft’s other dwindling mobile offering, the Surface tablet, as well as laptops, desktops and servers used by millions of home users and businesses across the globe.

This level of integration, coupled with the loyalty/ fear of trying another operating system (depending on your level of IT literacy) will be hugely attractive to both home users and the mobile workforce, the latter of which is becoming increasingly strong in numbers, and is set to grow further.

Beside integration of devices (which Apple have done successfully for a few years now), there is the cost of the Windows phone which pleases many. The Windows phone is vastly cheaper than the iPhone, and while it lacks some of the latter’s features it makes up for it by being kinder to customers’ wallets. This attracts those that would like a good all round smart phone, without paying �550 (and above!) for it. The Windows phone also comes in cheaper than the flagship Samsung Galaxy models, which are the pick of the Android phones.

However, despite the US showing improvement, it is not all promising news for the future of the Windows phone. While market share in Europe is 10% (twice what it is in the US) many see that as a limited market, with the two main players of Android (market share of 51.6%) and Apple (market share of 40.7%) well liked across the continent. Adding to the Everest already in front of them, Microsoft are expected to get rid of the Nokia name, after acquiring their handset manufacturing partner earlier this year. Although not a game changer, the Finnish brand is still popular in Europe and this move will not help boost ratings.

China is another market (the biggest of all in the world), that Microsoft have not cracked with their phone. The big two of Apple and Android also haven’t been as popular in China as they have elsewhere, so the outlook doesn’t look particularly promising for Windows. Add to that the number of home-grown Chinese smart phone producers, and the picture does not improve for Windows, now or over the next few years.