Digital devotions' hidden risk: Malware found on hundreds of Bible and Quran apps

Hundreds of Bible and Quran apps have been found to include malware on them, threatening the security of personal data of users, according to alphr.

A study from security company Proofpoint has found that malicious code which may enable data theft to be present in 208 Bible apps, with 140 considered at high risk. Similarly, they have found 16 Quran apps to contain the malicious code, with 38 high risk.

The volume of Bible apps available on the market is vast: included in Proofpoint's research were 5,600 digital versions of the Bible - 4,154 for Android and 1,500 for iOS. The Quran also had a large number of online versions, although significantly fewer than the Bible - 3,804 for Android and 646 for iOS.

Apple products are famed for their high levels of security and resistance to malware. This reputation is supported in the results, as no malicious code was found on any of the 2,146 digital versions of the Bible or Quran.

The apps that have been found to have malware on are yet to be named, as Proofpoint are in negotiations with the developers.

related articles
YouVersion reveals most popular verse in 2014—Romans 12.2

YouVersion reveals most popular verse in 2014—Romans 12.2

10 ways your Smartphone can help your spiritual life
10 ways your Smartphone can help your spiritual life

10 ways your Smartphone can help your spiritual life

Bible reading becomes more personal and intimate with use of new ToYouBible app
Bible reading becomes more personal and intimate with use of new ToYouBible app

Bible reading becomes more personal and intimate with use of new ToYouBible app

David Suchet: What I learned from recording the whole Bible
David Suchet: What I learned from recording the whole Bible

David Suchet: What I learned from recording the whole Bible

\'Incredible\': Holy Bible app downloaded by over 202 million smartphone users, and number is still rising
'Incredible': Holy Bible app downloaded by over 202 million smartphone users, and number is still rising

'Incredible': Holy Bible app downloaded by over 202 million smartphone users, and number is still rising

News
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds

People who regularly attend church are more likely to report happy marriages, according to a new report examining the relationship between faith and family life.

Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk
Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk

Churches in Dhamtari, a town in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, have put up notices warning non-Christians that they enter at their own risk, weeks after a law against religious conversion came into force in the state.

£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes
£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes

Churches across the UK are being offered bursaries to help them establish mentoring programmes aimed at supporting young people and others in their communities.

World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary
World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has held an online celebration to mark its 180th anniversary. Hundreds of people from more than 22 countries attended, and the event was rebroadcast to accommodate different time zones.