Mobile devices are slowly outnumbering desktop computers as the system of choice for online users. In fact, a recent report from TechCrunch estimates the number of smartphone users to balloon to 6.1 billion by year 2020.
This huge growth in the mobile market should come with a warning, though. Unsuspecting mobile users may have absolutely no idea about the threats that they face while using their devices. This is the reason why mobile security has become one of the most important considerations for smartphone and tablet users.
The rise of mobile security threats is not a joke. Antivirus protection software company Kaspersky reported that “one out of five Android devices protected by Kaspersky Lab products was attacked by malware at least once” from August 2013 to July 2014. In other words, cyber-criminals are beginning to attack mobile devices and are aggressive in their approaches.
Security threats in mobile devices come in either of two forms: Web-based and application-based.
Web-based threats
Because mobile devices are persistently connected to the Internet, our smartphones and tablets are naturally vulnerable to online attacks. These threats may appear as:
- Browser exploits: Some websites contain malicious codes and malware that may infect the mobile device and corrupt data. Worse, some of the malware may become gateways for hacker access to your personal information.
- Phishing: A number of websites and apps may ask for personal data such as credit card information or your social security number. If you’re not conscientious enough, you might be forwarding your private data to people with illegal intentions.
Application-based threats
In the same way that virus-laden programs can corrupt or destroy a personal computer, malicious mobile apps can also do the same to your handheld devices. What’s sad is that some mobile users have no idea that they’re installing an app with either of these malicious properties:
- Malware: It only takes a simple app installation for a hacker to install malware on your phone and gain access to your personal data.
- Adware: Some apps contain ad banners that can collect information about you. Although this is done to customize the ads for your preferences, this method can also be used to fish out private data about your likes and interests.
How do you address mobile security threats?
There are many ways to prevent these threats to harm you through your mobile devices. Here are just some of them:
- Be careful with installing apps: Choose apps registered in the official repositories, say the Apple App Center or Google Play. Any source other than those two might need to be verified for security and safety.
- Use data protection service or app: Much like how antivirus software can help protect your personal computer, it might be best to install an app that protects your mobiles. You may check for a Identity Guard protection review, and install a mobile version of this kind of protection system.
- Strengthen passwords and permissions of mobile applications: In its list of recommendations, Trend Micro mentioned to “check the features that you allow the app to access, and don’t forget to use strong and unique passwords.”
There’s no denying that mobile devices are here to stay and will continue to spread. It’s up to us – the millions of mobile users worldwide – to keep our phones and tablets as secure as we can.
Actually now the phone when accessing certain websites are vulnerable to viruses and stolen information. Be careful when visiting certain websites.