A new study has revealed that pet-related apps pose cybersecurity risks for their owners. Being able to track your cat and dog can be an attractive advantage for many pet owners because it can provide peace of mind, while allowing a third party to track your movements can be far less appealing.

After evaluating 40 popular Android apps for pets and other pets and livestock, computer experts from Newcastle University and London’s Royal Holloway University found numerous security and privacy issues. The findings show that some of these apps put their users at risk by revealing their login credentials or location.

Password vulnerabilities were one of the areas the team found. They found three applications where user data appeared as plain text in unsecured HTTP traffic. This means that anyone can observe the Internet traffic of a user using one of these programs and learn their registration information. In addition to login information, the two apps also revealed information about users such as their location, which could allow someone to access their device and risk a cyberattack.

Another problem area identified in the study was the use of audience. All but four of the apps were found to have some form of monitoring software. The tracker collects information about the person using the app, how he/she is using it or the smartphone being used.

The researchers also warn that the apps are very poor at informing users of their privacy policies. Their analysis shows that 21 programs somehow tracked the user and violated existing data protection rules before the user had a chance to grant permission.

The research was led by Newcastle University and Royal Holloway University London and was presented at a workshop conference. IEEE European Security and Privacy Symposium Workshops Published in 2022 and as part of the materials.

Scott Harper is a Ph.D. He is a student at the Newcastle University School of Computing and lead author of the study. “Pet tech such as smart collars and GPS trackers for your cat or dog is a rapidly growing industry and presents new risks to the safety, privacy and security of pet owners.

“While owners may use these apps to gain peace of mind about the health of their dogs or the whereabouts of their cats, they may be horrified to learn of the risks these apps pose to their cybersecurity. Harper advises everyone who uses these apps to take the time to make sure they use a unique password, check their settings, and check their settings. “We invite you to be mindful of how much data they provide or are willing to share.”

Pet technology, the technology in the pet care industry to improve the health, well-being and overall quality of life of pets, is evolving rapidly and includes a wide range of products including GPS trackers, automatic feeders and pet cameras.

Examples of pet technology include wearable devices that track a pet’s activity level, heart rate, and sleep patterns, as well as smart feeding systems that deliver food on a set schedule or in response to a pet’s behavior. There are also apps and platforms that allow owners to track and manage their pets’ medical records and connect with veterinarians.

Co-author Dr Maryam Mernejad, from the Department of Information Security at Royal Holloway University London, added: “We use modern technology to improve various aspects of our lives. However, some of these (mostly) inexpensive technologies come at the expense of our privacy, safety and security. Animal technologies are difficult to recognize and address. “In this interdisciplinary project, we are working on solutions to reduce such risks and allow pet owners to use such technologies without risk or fear.”

The research team’s second study involved a survey of around 600 participants from the UK, USA and Germany. The researchers asked questions about the technologies used, the events that occurred or believed to be possible by the participants, and the methods participants used to protect their online safety and privacy, and whether they applied them to their home technologies.