Analyzing Security and Privacy Risks in Android Video Game Applications
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
23674512
eISSN
23674520
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105030928600
Journal Title
Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies
Volume
204
Start Page
307
End Page
319
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies Vol.204 (2024) , 307-319
Suggested Citation
Phaenthong R., Ngamsuriyaroj S. Analyzing Security and Privacy Risks in Android Video Game Applications. Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies Vol.204 (2024) , 307-319. 319. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-57942-4_30 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115506
Title
Analyzing Security and Privacy Risks in Android Video Game Applications
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
In today’s world, where smartphones are nearly universal and their user base is growing rapidly, the security and privacy of users have become paramount concerns. This paper investigates the risks related to security and privacy in video game applications, which have seen a surge in popularity. Our extensive study involves the detailed analysis of most popular 400 free Android games from the Google Play Store in the Thailand region which spread across action, role-playing, simulation, and strategy genres. We conducted an in-depth static and dynamic analysis focusing on aspects such as malware detection, permission requests, thirdparty tracking, and security of server connections. Our work uncovers the existence of potential malware, incorporation of third-party trackers in apps, discrepancies in permission requests, inconsistencies between third-party tracker identification between static and dynamic analysis, and possibly malicious connections. The insights from this study are intended to assist game developers and end-users to be aware of the security and privacy standards of their games.