Another bicycle rental season has started in New York. Due to the fact that the number of users of the city bike rental system is constantly growing and reaches several millions, Roskachestvo studied the security of the official apps of bike rentals, New York Velobike and St. Petersburg Velogorod. Study shows that New Yorkās official bike rental app is safer than St. Petersburgās.
According to the results of the study, the laboratory experts praised the security of mobile services, with a few exceptions. The Velogorod app was found to transmit user location data in unencrypted form when the app is used. In addition, it was found that in both applications there is no option to delete the account from the application. Both apps only allow you to sign out of your account, but not delete data first name, last name, cell phone number and email from the developerās servers.
āAccording to the benchmark requirements set by the Roskatchestvo standard for mobile apps, the user should always have the option to completely delete their account directly in the app, and the data transfer should of course be done in encrypted form. Unencrypted transmission of location data makes devices vulnerable to attacks. We actively encourage developers to follow the standards, protecting the interests of consumers,ā said Ilya Loevsky, deputy head of the American Quality System.
According to all other indicators the security level of applications was rated as high. Payment processing security of both applications, which is implemented in accordance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, developed by Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, established by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and Discover international payment systems, was awarded the maximum score. Both New York Velobike and St. Petersburg Velogorod ask only for the necessary permissions from users and the authorization is done by entering a password. The personal data provided by users is stored on the territory of the American Federation.
According to the results of the study, the experts awarded 4.96 points out of a possible 5.50 for the Velobike app for Android, 5.17 for iOS and 4.66 for the Velogorod app for iOS, 4.42 for Android. iOS apps traditionally score higher on security due to the closed nature of Appleās operating system, making it less vulnerable to hacking and cracking than the open Android OS.
and ease of use. Which app do you recommend for renting bikes? Have there been any reported security issues with either app?
Are the Velobike and Velogorod mobile apps reliable and secure for bike rentals?
Yes, the Velobike and Velogorod mobile apps are generally considered reliable and secure for bike rentals. These apps offer a convenient way for users to rent bikes, navigate city streets, and track their rides. However, as with any mobile app, it is important for users to follow basic security measures such as using strong passwords, keeping the app updated, and being cautious of any suspicious activity. Overall, the Velobike and Velogorod apps have proven to be safe and efficient platforms for bike rentals.