MORE DATA LEAKS FROM MOBILE DEVISES IS EXPECTED THIS YEAR

We anticipate more data leaks from mobile devices through suspicious mobile applications and fake Wi-Fi access points this year.

I have spoken many times about the danger on Mobile applications and Free Wi-Fi - I urge everyone to pay close attention when installing new mobile applications or when using free Wi-Fi.

Danger on Mobile application: Not all mobile applications do us good, some still data, Snooping and spying from our devices. If you read those warnings, you will see an application saying- for example, It will go through your contacts, files and pictures some even warn that they can take a picture of you. But mostly accept and keep installing them.

Danger on Free WiFi: These public Wi-Fi like the one we see on the Airports and other public places are meant for a good reason, Providing internet access to users for free, But cyber criminals are also using them to eavesdropping those data transferred from one mobile device or laptop to another. This cause all that we type on our devices end up in wrong hands.

One may type password, or performing online banking using this Wi-Fi where a cyber criminal has setup a means to capture those data transferred and end up taking control of our accounts. If we use this public Wi-Fi, We should not do any sensitive things that could then cause harm if fallen to a wrong person.

We need to use secure passwords and take care when using public Wi-Fi, opening emails and visiting websites.

We have pushed warnings on Mobile applications and encouraged users to read them before installing mobile applications. Importantly we urged users to only install application they truly need and those application should come from reputable source.

We also expect a rise in “CEO email scams” – in which fraudsters impersonate senior executives of companies and send emails to trick staff into transferring funds to them.

We have seen the rise on the same through our mobile devices via short massages in Tanzania, Where fraudsters/Cyber criminals use someone's number to request money.

During my recent interview with a local radio station named Radio One Stereo, I urged users to verify whenever they receive massages or mails requesting money or personal details. We should NOT just respond absent Verification.

Lastly, I urge every one of us to THINK before we INK – We should always think twice before we write or post on social media and other digital platforms.