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#MoDiTECH2019: Digital Encode cautions Nigerians to be careful of free wifi
Drastic increase of security vulnerabilities and exploits in operating systems for mobile devices, e.g., Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, Symbian, has been reported since 2009.
Attacks, especially those using viruses, worms and similar malware, have been relatively confined to desktop PCs, laptops and servers but are now more and more spreading into mobile platforms.
The main reason for this trend, according to the Co-founder/COO, Digital Encode Limited, Dr. Adewale Peter Obadare, is their widely adopted usage and the fact that mobile devices are starting to become more and more similar to classic PC-like computers in terms of performance as well as field of application.
Dr. Obadare, was represented by the Senior Consultant, Digital Encode, Mr. Oluwafemi Obadare, at the Mobile and Disruptive Technology Forum (#MoDiTECH2019), organised by TechEconomy.ng.
Speaking on the topic: “Securing Your Mobile Devices Against Cyber Attacks”, he said that a side-effect is the increased probability of being exposed by malware, stressing that with every new generation of mobile devices, especially in the smartphone and tablet sector, the performance regarding CPU, memory and network bandwidth is increased. “This makes mobile devices an attractive target for attackers”, Obadare said.
Mobile phone fraud is not a new topic and today’s mobile security reflects the industry’s experience of fighting against fraud.
He further listed that Nigerians and other mobile devices users across the globe face today. These are; Mobile Devices Cyber Threats, Mobile Ransomware, Botnets, Malicious Apps, Data leakage, Unsecured WiFi, Network spoofing, Phishing and Broken cryptography.
Obadare warned that any digital asset can be digitally invaded if there is an issue with any of the factors: “ADIO” an acronym for Architecture, Design, Implementation and Operation.
With particular reference to Mobile Payment, he said that mobile payment services need a complex architecture involving many players with different roles. Thus, “In order to make a complete risk assessment it’s important to analyze the entire mobile payment ecosystem.
He enumerated some Mobile Payment Attacks:
“Man-in-the-middle attacks – applications may use higher-layer cryptographic protocols such as SSL to establish a secure channel on top of the NFC standard.
“Eaves dropping – by interception of the communication; Take over – is related to the impersonation attack. The take over of what is expected from a customer perspective but dealing with a different entity and Data modification – it is relatively easy to alter data as a lot of mobile applications are doing client side validation instead of server side validation”.
Obadare also offered urged stakeholders on Counter Measures to adopt.
According to him, the Governance has a major role to ensure Mobile Payment Solution Providers (MPSPs) implement a formal security policy for mobile payment services which is subject to periodic review, monitoring and challenge.
“Risk assessment is important. Mobile Payment Solution Providers (MPSPs) should identify and assess risks on an ongoing basis (supported by a formal policy and strategy) in order to ensure the security of mobile payments and ancillary services, but also prior to establishing the service(s). Security incident monitoring and reporting
“The MPSPs should also ensure the consistent and integrated monitoring, handling and follow-up of security incidents, including security-related customer complaints, amongst others.
Offering other Mobile Devices Security tips, he said,
“Set a password on your mobile device so that if it is lost or stolen, your data is more difficult to access. One of the biggest security risks is old fashioned carelessness. Data is most often taken from mobile phones when they’re lost or stolen and aren’t protected by a password. It’s an open invitation for thieves to go rummaging around.
“Download from trusted sources: Before downloading an app, conduct research to make sure the app is legit. This includes checking reviews, confirming the legitimacy of the app store and comparing the app sponsor’s official website with the app store link to confirm consistency. Many apps from untrusted sources contain malware that once installed – can steal information, install viruses, and cause harm to your phone’s contents.
“Install antivirus and anti-malware on your phone and be careful of free wifi.
No doubt, Digital Encode as a ‘Centre for Information Security Intelligence (CISI)’ in close to two decades of operations, has reached various milestones in information security, risk management and other consulting prowess in Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world.
The Company is part of sponsors of #MoDiTECH2019.
News
France Urged to Address Colonial Legacy as Senegalese Activists Call for Reparations in Dakar Roundtable
Reporter: Sandra Ani
France’s colonial legacy came under renewed scrutiny as journalists, historians, and pan-African activists gathered at African Memorial Square in Dakar for a powerful roundtable advocating reparations and economic justice.
The event highlighted growing demands for France to take full responsibility for its historical role in Senegal and across West Africa.
Organized by advocacy groups including the Association of Descendants of Senegalese Soldiers, the Front for the Withdrawal of French Military Bases (GASSI), and JIF’AFRIK, the roundtable brought together influential voices pushing for reparatory justice and structural transformation.
Among the key speakers were Babacar Dioh of the Thiaroye 44 Movement—a coalition of descendants of Senegalese tirailleurs—and Souleymane Jules Diallo, leader of JIF’AFRIK. Discussions centered on two central demands: official reparations for colonial-era injustices and the urgent renegotiation of trade and military agreements that activists say perpetuate economic dependence.
“The time for symbolic gestures is over,” said Dioh. “We are now filing an official reparations claim and taking concrete steps to hold France accountable.”
Speakers called for the dismantling of existing neocolonial frameworks, stressing the ecological, financial, and social harm that has endured beyond the colonial period. The roundtable marks a turning point in Dakar’s positioning as a hub for coordinated African-led advocacy aimed at restoring historical justice.
This event adds momentum to a growing continental movement seeking tangible reparative action from former colonial powers and reinforces the call for equity, autonomy, and acknowledgment of historical truths.
The Enugu State government has inaugurated a steering committee to eliminate Gender-Based Violence, GBV, in the state, declaring zero tolerance for the social malaise.
The inauguration took place at the Government House Enugu.
The panel, which is chaired by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, draws its membership from the Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education as well as the Civil Society.
Inaugurating the panel known as the Steering Committee for Strengthening Institutional and Community Responses to End Gender-Based Violence/Domestication of Enugu State Gender Policy using the Oputa Panel approach, Governor Peter Mbah restated his administration’s commitment to not bringing perpetrators of GBV to book, but also putting in place proactive measures – activities, infrastructure, and systems in place to prevent them.
Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said, “We take gender-based violence seriously. We have zero tolerance for it, and in Enugu State, we are ready to go the extra mile to deal with it.
“If you notice, the government has selected people that are very committed to this goal. This is not an activity where we just want to check-off the list. We will track this. We will monitor this, and we will have quarterly engagements on the successes that this particular committee has achieved in terms of reference that we are going to send.
“We will tighten those terms of reference indicators, so that we monitor what we are doing both in terms of cost input and the value added. It’s very important to us. Many people will be involved – civil society, the police and various ministries.”
He however, said that the effort was to protect everyone, men and women alike, as GBV was not restricted to any gender.
“The whole idea is to hold people responsible that are involved in matters relating to gender violence and deter people that by culture or by association get involved in that, protect women, protect our children, and in the case of violence against men, protect our men because most times we misconstrue gender violence to mean women, but it can also be men too.
“We encourage our men to speak out and to make sure they understand that the policy that Enugu State is soon going to domesticate is for everyone, and not only for the female gender,” he stated.
In her remark, Mrs. Enih, explained that the Oputa Panel approach was inspired by the need to cover all local peculiarities in domesticating the policy on GBV, restarting government’s confidence in the members of the panel.
“The approach we are going to use is the Oputa Panel approach, and in the Oputa Panel approach, we are going to tour the 17 Local Government Areas to get firsthand information about what our people are going through because policy is meant for the people, and a policy should suit the people.
“Again, every community has its peculiar problems, so that’s why the government decided that if we have to domesticate the gender policy, we have to hear from the people who own the policy and know the changes that they desire to see. That is the reason we are using this approach.
“The committee members are to also serve as judges. As we gather this information from our people, we will come back to tailor it in a way to suit the people of Enugu State, and then our policy is ready.
“We want the people to know that there is a gender policy for them. I can assure you that when the people are aware that there is such a policy, they will seek for the enforcement of that policy. So, this is not going to be one of those policies that will just lie on the shelf,” she said.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
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