It’s High-time! Take Initiative Towards Securing Your Mobile Data

We all love our smartphones and our lives are tied to them in a way that is somehow impossible to separate. Today, we use our mobile phones like a mini-computer and handle work-related as well as personal tasks all day.

This phenomenal growth in the use of tablets and smartphones, along with our not-so-smart attitude to their security, implies that our devices are easy, plentiful targets. We are not the only ones who have the strong desire for our devices, cybercriminals too, have the same desire. As smartphones and tablets contain masses of valuable data, this is the perfect and easiest way for cybercriminals to reach anyone.  

In the last few years, it’s not only the computer threats, or say cybercriminals that have been evolved, there was something else too, mobile-first cyber attacks, such as SMS phishing, robocalls, malicious apps, and attack from social media. These attacks are continuously increasing with the practice of “Bring-Your-Own-Device” approach at a workplace.

Let’s discuss how these mobile security threats, cyber attacks featured in the smartphone world.

1. Malicious Software

Malicious software, also known as malware, is a software that causes harm to the computer and users. Malware is continuously evolving. This can be present in many forms such as worms, viruses, trojans, spyware, rootkits, and adware. Malware aims to steal data and make money out of it.

Some of the most common activities that malware do are

• Track location of your device
• Use audio as well as video for monitoring you
• Divert SMS from your bank
• Make changes to your phone
• Message your contacts
• Collect device information
• Download and install files and apps
• Give away overall control of your mobile device to the attacker

2. Social Media

There is no denying the fact that scammers love a strong social network. Spam has been shifting from emails to social media platforms, but with the same type of bait.

• One of the most common forms of social media-based attacks is fake offers. People who are active on social media platforms are invited by those spammers to join the fake event, install some apps, or a piece of music, and even register for some kind of competition. And spammers encourage these activities by offering the chance to win free gifts
• Most of the times, users are asked to provide their login details or enter the premium rate numbers

3. Phishing Attacks

As mobile devices are powered on maximum times, they represent the entry points of phishing attacks. It has been observed that smartphone or tablet users are more susceptible to this attack, since most of the times, they are the first to get legitimate-seeming emails and trap themselves in it. Whereas desktop users check their emails every other day or if necessary, once in a day, hence they are often warned off by these news sites and security bulletins before clicking any suspicious mail.

Tips to Protect Your Mobile Devices

We can no longer ignore the threats and vulnerabilities that are continuously trying to break our mobile security. We have to be extra alert to protect our data from those attacks. Below mentioned some of the best practices that can help you to reduce possibility as well as consequences of these attacks:

• While backing up phone data to the PC, always look for the option to encrypt your backup. Your phone must have an ability to delete the known malicious apps remotely
• Always keep your smartphones password protected. Choose a complex password to lock your phone. Enables features such as remote wipe capabilities and encryption. You can also add the antivirus software, if available
• Never follow the links which are sent in suspicious text or email messages. These links may lead to the malicious websites
• Configure your web accounts to use the secure connections. You can configure the accounts of certain websites to use encrypted, secure connections. You will find SSL or HTTPS in the account option pages. This features will deter the attackers from eavesdropping on your web sessions
• Think twice before posting your personal phone number to the public websites. Attackers may use some software to collect contact details from the web and use those data to target attacks
• Always maintain the physical control of your device, especially in public places. The portability of devices can easily get lost or stolen
• Disable those interfaces that you are not using, such as infrared, Wifi, or Bluetooth. Attackers can easily exploit vulnerabilities in that software which use this type of interfaces
• Be extra alert while using social networking apps. Because these applications may reveal your more personal information than they are supposed to do. Be careful while using services which track your location

To Sum Up

Undoubtedly, mobiles are the central part of everyone’s ever-connected lives. Therefore it is important to recognize the security threats and take action to reduce them as soon as possible.

These risks will only increase and bother you when you put unnecessary and massive data on your device that cybercriminal can aim to exploit. And if you ignore the need of keeping your tablets and phones safe, play mobile activity, and click on the suspicious email and social media links, then you are just making it easier for those attackers to exploit your data.  

Be active and install the comprehensive mobile security software which can protect your data on smartphones and tablets. In this way, you can confidently and safely use your device.