Smartphones and tablets are often the preferred device for communications, web searching, and accessing many different apps. They’re more portable than computers and can be used from anywhere.
We’re seeing people are using mobile devices instead traditional computers to perform many tasks they used to do on a computer .
Microsoft estimates that up to 80% of the workload in many enterprise organizations is now done via mobile devices. Over half of all web searches are also now conducted from a mobile device rather than a desktop PC.
This has caused mobile devices to become more targeted over the past few years. As hackers realize mobile devices are holding a lot of the same sensitive information and app access as PCs, they’ve been creating mobile malware and other exploits to breach mobile devices.
In 2020, approximately 36.5% of organizations were impacted by mobile malware and 2.5 million people unknowingly downloaded multiple mobile adware apps.
It’s important to start treating mobile devices in the same way as you do computers when it comes to their security. Smartphones and tablets need the same types of security precautions in place, including:
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Antivirus/anti-malware
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Automated OS and app updates
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Managed backup
You need to be on the lookout for the most prevalent mobile device threats that allow your data to be leaked or breached. Here’s a roundup of what those are.
1. Mobile Malware Hidden in Apps
It’s not easy at first glance to tell the difference between a legitimate free app and one that has malware hidden inside.
Scammers will use the same types of flashy graphics, and the app may even have a high star rating (most likely boosted through suspicious means). The app may even do what it says it will do when downloaded.
But malware can be hidden in the background, infecting a device as soon as the app is installed. And many of these apps will hide once on your phone or tablet by using the icon of a common default system app (like settings or calendar).
Mobile malware can include all the same types of malware that can infect a computer, such as ransomware, adware, spyware, trojans, and more.
2. Unprotected Communications
Have you ever sent someone a password or credit card details over a text message or messaging app? Did you check to see if the communication was encrypted?
Many users will use various methods of communication from their mobile devices without knowing how secure those methods are. If sensitive information is transmitted and it’s not encrypted, then a hacker could easily intercept it.
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