Mobile Phones and Potential Security Threats

Rapidly growing technology means devices are getting smarter, especially in the mobile industry. Mobile phones are ever-evolving because of the AI integration and many other epic features. But that doesn’t mean that these devices, including computers, have foolproof security. 

A study by Kaspersky in 2014 revealed that the in-lab detection technologies found 3.5 million malware on more than one million devices. This just further indicates how insecure these devices can be. Here are some threats that mobile phones and tablets face. 

Data Breach

It’s common for mobile phones to leak data through “riskware” applications. These applications don’t check for security and are usually free to download and send personal and corporate data to remote servers. 

This information can be used by cybercriminals as well. This is only one way of leaking data. If you want to gain maximum security, then only give permissions to those applications you find essential for optimal device functioning. 

Stay back from installing apps that ask for more permissions than necessary. 

Phishing Ambushes

Phishing attacks are the most common on mobile devices as they stay powered on all the time. CSO revealed that mobile users are prone to these attacks as they open and read emails in real-time. 

These mobile users are more prone as the email application shows less information about the mails received to accommodate the screen’s size. If you find links in your emails, don’t open them. And don’t reply to unknown emails unless it is imperative.

Spyware

Are you worried about malware leaking data and sending it to cybercriminals? Then listen to this: there is another threat called “Spyware” that hits closer to home. Usually, spyware isn’t malware sent by unknown attackers.

Instead, they are installed by coworkers, employers, and even by spouses to monitor someone’s activities and whereabouts. These stalking applications are designed in a way that they don’t require consent from the device user. 

Through an extensive antivirus and malware detection program, the techniques used should depict how the spyware was installed and the purpose behind it. 

Fragmented Cryptography

Fragmented cryptography occurs when application developers lag in implementing robust encryption algorithms, or when they use it; they are weaker in nature. When the developers use weaker algorithms, they know the backdoors and all the vulnerabilities, which remain untouched even during the development phase. 

So, any cybercriminal can easily exploit these loopholes and gain access to the device. Suppose attackers can’t crack the code. It doesn’t mean that the remaining flaws in the code could prevent attackers from using high-level functions to gain access to messages.

Therefore, the application developers need to be more careful while developing these algorithms to provide maximum security to the user. 

It is impossible to create devices that can’t be breached. But that doesn’t mean that attackers’ attacks are unpreventable. All you need to be is smart enough to understand which applications to install, which type of applications to give permissions to, and what sort of permissions are to be provided.