State of Michigan offers security app for devices

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) wants to help you keep the apps on your mobile device secure.

Michigan Secure is an app offered free to Michigan residents that alerts you to settings or activities that could put your mobile device at risk.

“It can also help detect and report potential phishing attacks or unsafe websites you may be trying to visit,” said Jayson Cavendish, chief security officer for the state of Michigan. “It will also tell you whether or not the wireless access point and wireless network you are connected to is secure.”

When Michigan Secure detects a threat, the app displays an alert with recommended options for dealing with the threat.

Neither Zimperium, the developer of the app, nor the State of Michigan can see or access text messages, pictures, emails, or other personal information on your device.

DTMB said Zimperium only sees:

• A device ID (an anonymized, randomly generated number that can only identify how many people have downloaded Michigan Secure at any given time).
• The device type (whether the device ID is attached to an iOS or Android device) and the current version of Michigan Secure.

Michigan Secure monitors your device and nearby Wi-Fi networks in real time to identify potential threats. For Android users, Michigan Secure also detects if an app you’ve downloaded might be unsafe.