Cybersecurity threats faced by mobiles

The use of mobile devices is on the rise as cell phones and tablets are becoming more powerful as companies embrace the idea of ​​bring-your-own-device-type policies that allow users to access corporate networks with personal technology. However, the increase in use is accompanied by an explosion of mobile malware and although this is not the only cause, it is also a very important part of the world situation that we are all suffering now so the best we can do is increase cybersecurity of our mobiles.

Android is undoubtedly the most widely used mobile operating system in the world, currently concentrating 76% of the market. Even today, fragmentation due to various active versions of the system continues: 90% of Android devices use older versions. This increased number of users and the variety of the ecosystem is, in part, what makes the platform the perfect target for cybercriminals.

However, phones are not an easy target, since they have a smaller attack surface, have a more secure architecture, offer official stores reducing the risk of installing executables from unknown sources and, in the worst case, they can use networks mobiles that are more secure – at least harder to compromise.

Although mobile malware has not fully reached its strongest point than a desktop computer in terms of volume or complexity, security professionals are seeing more mobile-specific malware designed to take advantage of mobile phone functions or vulnerabilities.

Types of threats suffered by mobiles in cybersecurity

▸Apps downloaded outside of official sites

Of course one of the vulnerabilities that mobiles face the most are unofficial apps that you can get outside of the official download page and these apps can pose a serious risk.

▸Mobile ransomware

Ransomware, which first became popular on and like desktop computers, locks important user data such as documents, photos, and videos by encrypting the information and then demands a ransom from the malware creators.

▸Mobile spyware

Spyware, loaded as a program on the device, monitors your activity, records your location, and steals critical information such as usernames and passwords from email accounts or commerce sites. In many cases, spyware includes other seemingly benign software that silently collects data in the background.

▸Mobile adware

Adware has come a long way from being nothing more than annoying pop-ups and a collection of data. For many adware manufacturers, revenue depends on the number of clicks and downloads they receive, some have even created malvertising codes that can infect and access the root of the device to force it to download certain types of adware.

See also:
What kind of spyware does Android face
How to know if an APK is safe and avoid viruses

---