The mobile phone has become so powerful that it has all the computer capabilities but in a small and compact size. Also, we rely on our phones to store personal and corporate data. Remote accessing of work emails and other sensitive data is made possible using these smartphones. These smartphones have turned into goldmines for both users and cybercriminals to extract and do malicious activities through these enormous data. So, it is the responsibility of security professionals or security analysts to guide employees and individuals to preserve their digital assets and privacy on their smartphones.
What Is Mobile Device Security?
In the age of mobile computing, the security of mobile devices is essential and increasingly in demand because personal data and business information are now stored and access from smartphones. Devices like smartphones, tablets, phablets, PDAs, and other such devices come under mobile devices. Most users and businesses seek to help them communicate, organize, manage their work and private life. By 2020, there will be more than six billion users worldwide who will be using smartphones. So, what are the possible malware threats that can cause harm to any mobile devices?
Possible Mobile Phone Malware Threats
As a security specialist, it is essential to know about the types of malware associated with mobile devices.
- Mobile spyware: Spyware is malicious software that can creep into apparently compassionate programs and, in secret, monitor your activity, track your geo-location, as well as steal sensitive passwords.
- Mobile banking Trojans: These are mobile banking viruses that target and steal your bank details. In the year 2017, mobile banking Trojans hit around 260,000 users across 160+ countries. They acted as if they are legitimate bank applications and then stolen all users' bank and account details.
- Rooting malware: These types of malware try to gain root access to any mobile devices for providing its creators or cybercriminals the administrative privileges as well as access to that victim's files.
- SMS malware: These are used to manipulate mobile phones in sending premium-rated SMSs, texts without letting the user know about them, and in the month-end, a large bill comes up to that target user.
How to Keep Mobile Users Safe?
- If your phone does not have data encryption by default, set it up and enable the data encryption method.
- It is highly recommended to lock your system with a password or biometric system such as fingerprint defection.
- Enable a remote wiping system on your smartphone so that you can remotely erase all your data using the system if your phone is stolen.
- Keep a backup of your data, especially to avoid ransomware problems.
- Never use third-party applications or applications that are not approved by the App Store.
- Keep your mobile phone system updated; Otherwise, cybercriminals use old bugs and infiltrate and take access to your smartphone OS.
- Avoid opening illegitimate links or spam emails.
- Keep an anti-malware installed on your device.
- Check if anyone is peeping or overlooking your phone or not using it for personal purposes.
