Selected Topics in Mobile Security

(Summer Term 2020)

CISPA / Saarland University

Overview

In this seminar, we will discuss current results and new problems in the mobile security domain based on relevant scientific papers. The focus of the selected papers lies on Android, given its high popularity among researchers. The topics include usability aspects of Android's permission system and security-relevant APIs, security extensions at different levels of Android's software stack, app analysis, and newly identified attack vectors.

Logistics

Course structure and grading

The course is structured as a standard seminar. Every week, one student will present an assigned topic, which we will then discuss. Prior to this, all students are expected to read the papers carefully and prepare a list of discussion questions. Additionally, every student will write a short report on their assigned papers, in which the presentation should be elaborated in more details and potentially including results of the discussion. Grading will be based on the presentations, report, and general in-class participation.

Registration and pre-requisites

There are no formal pre-requisites beyond a basic knowledge of how computer systems work internally. Having worked with a smartphone as user or app developer, or participation in the Advanced Lecture Mobile Security are beneficial.

Registration is handled via the central registration system of the UdS.

Presentation schedule and topics