What Is a Third-Party Application and What are the App Permissions to Avoid?

Summary: Learn why there are significant risks to using third-party software, even though third-party apps may be less expensive. This article examines what app permissions to avoid and secure application permission settings. If you are uncertain about what third-party applications are and which are safe to use, consult a cyber security professional for help. They can perform a cyber risk analysis and ensure you are using safe apps.

For SMBs, controlling costs without compromising their image or product quality is a balancing act. That is why third-party application vendors have been so successful. Third-party software apps can include more enhanced functionality and features than the original vendor’s product. Third-party apps can also be competitively priced, making them even more attractive to cost-conscious SMBs. However, there are serious concerns related to third-party software:

• Cyber Security – Installing any application allows it a certain amount of access to your computer system. Unfortunately, this means the app can potentially take advantage of the system’s vulnerabilities. Malware attacks, compromised network security, virus infections and many other cyberattacks can be introduced to your system via a questionable third-party app. Furthermore, such breaches can lead to the theft of private data, login credentials and other personal information that your business is liable to protect.
• Risks For High-Compliance Businesses – If your business is a high-compliance operation such as a medical practice or law firm, then the negative consequences of a data breach can be far-reaching and costly. High-compliance companies are legally charged with protecting their clients’ private data. A data breach caused by the use of an unreputable third-party application can further compromise clients, patients and other related high-compliance companies that are connected to your network.
• Financial Exposure – When the parties with which you do business do not have sufficient cyber security of their own, they can put every SMB up and down the supply chain at risk. Using an unverified third-party app can allow an attack to spread to every company doing business with them. One “weak link” is enough to open the door to cyberattacks that result in loss of revenue, ruined reputations and legal repercussions. Many SMBs cannot survive the financial exposure from third-party cyberattacks.
• Damaged Reputation – In any business sector, reputation is vital to growth. SMBs with stellar reputations count on repeat clients, word-of-mouth referrals and online reviews. Once your data has been breached, there are many fires to put out quickly. Using unverified third-party apps that launch a data breach can cause irreparable damage to a business’s image and its reputation with customers and vendors.

Application Settings and Permissions

The settings on a reputable third-party app allow users to change the software’s functionality to better serve their needs. One of the most important settings is “Permissions.” This setting helps restrict access for the application to only those parties who have the appropriate credentials and permissions for authorization. App permissions also can instruct your device to allow other apps to participate in the operation of an app. For example, you might have an app on your cell phone that requests access to your phone’s camera. You can either grant or refuse permission for that application to use your camera.

Specific App Permissions to Avoid

Unfortunately, there are no iron-clad rules about granting permissions on apps. Every platform is different. Some require certain permissions to function such as the location permission for a map application. However, the main categories of permissions to be extra wary of involve identifying data and include:

• Cameras – It is worth being sure you are using a safe third-party application when allowing access to your connected cameras. Bad actors can misuse cameras to take photos and videos without user knowledge.
• Microphones – Similar to permitting access to your camera, access to your microphone could allow potential hackers to listen in and record private conversations.
• Location – Your location is an important piece of your personal profile that cybercriminals can use as part of an identity theft attempt. The more they know about your whereabouts, the easier it is to steal your identity.
• Internet Browser History – If hackers gain access to your browser history, they can learn many things about you. At minimum, they can add to your identity profile, and at worst, they can hack into transactions performed online. The more specific information a cyberthief can gain about a business or individual user, the more likely they can find a path to a data breach.
• Photo Library – A photo library can contain everything from personal photos to proprietary graphics and other business information. Would you allow strangers to go through your company files without your permission?
• Call Logs and Contact Lists – In crime investigations, call logs and contact lists are very helpful clues. For hackers, they are more information to help them breach your private data and expand the details of your identity profile, including how to determine frequent contacts to impersonate for phishing attacks.
• Proprietary Files – Once access has been granted to a cyberthief, it is only a matter of time before they discover a path to stealing your hard-earned business or personal data.

This blog should not make you afraid of using third-party apps. On the contrary, third-party apps are a very valuable part of computer use for both businesses and private users. However, any application that is not from your original software vendors must be vetted to ensure that it is secure and can perform its functions without jeopardizing your computer system. Understanding what a third-party application is and careful review of third-party app permission settings enhances cyber threat protection. With network security, a little bit of upfront planning can help avoid larger, more expensive issues down the road.