Over 4 billion people use mobile phone devices for communication, entertainment, and business round the clock. Now, being productive is not possible without a smartphone. But some of these abundant mobile users create security threats for everyone that can hurt you financially, socially, and personally. Imagine someone steals your banking information from your cellphone and […]
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Over 4 billion people use mobile phone devices for communication, entertainment, and business round the clock. Now, being productive is not possible without a smartphone. But some of these abundant mobile users create security threats for everyone that can hurt you financially, socially, and personally.
Imagine someone steals your banking information from your cellphone and drains your bank accounts. Or, your passwords get compromised, and you can longer access your social, personal, and business accounts. In such cases, your personal and business life get badly disrupted. In fact, a breach in your mobile security can halt daily routine and business operations, creating unimaginable losses. Also, you can lose your precious and sensitive data to criminals who can hurt you emotionally and blackmail you. That’s why awareness about mobile security threats gives you a strategy to safeguard yourself.
Find out the top five mobile security threats here and time-tested ways to counter them effectively.
Let’s begin!
Mobile Security Threat: What is it?
Mobile security threat is a term that refers to all attacks to steal or compromise data from smartphones and tablets. Such attacks use spyware and malware applications to get unauthorized access to devices for criminal purposes. In fact, most of the time, victims do not know that they have a breach in their mobile security.
Third-parties with unauthorized access to your mobile device can do various malicious activities. For example, your data gets stolen and sold on the dark web, along with information about your personal contacts. Also, your credentials for financial, personal, and business services get compromised. As a result, stolen credentials lead to large data leaks. Moreover, advanced hackers can even spy on your activities and even make phone calls from your mobile devices. Thus, a breach in your mobile security is always dangerous and can cause irreversible damage to your life.
Hackers mostly target individuals having specific potentials and find out about them through their web browsing activities. Thus, it's better to remain private as an internet user and save yourself from avoidable targeting from virtual abusers. Using a VPN allows you to be anonymous while surfing on the internet. If anonymity and privacy are your concerns, Turbo VPN will help you safeguard them.
5 mobile security threats you should know
Unlimited mobile security attacks happen every day, causing harm to individuals. Here are five common and potential threats you could be exposed to.
Malicious apps and websites
Your mobile device uses software applications and the internet, just like desktop computers. Malicious mobile applications and websites do the same thing as a computer virus: stealing data, encrypting data, and compromising credentials.
Usually, you click on an ad that baits you through emotional triggers usually, curiosity. Next, your mobile device installs a malicious app that starts working right after the installation. Also, sometimes, your mobile starts acting weirdly. For example, your favorite app gets uninstalled or jammed. Or you cannot access your files.
All malicious apps copy your important data and send it to a specific server for the purpose of selling. Also, your data can get encrypted, and you can no longer use it.
Mobile ransomware
It’s just like a real-life kidnapping, where kidnappers demand payment for the release of your loved one. Here, ransomware malware encrypts your data, and you can no longer access it. Next, hackers contact you and ask for the ransom payment against the decryption key.
Ransomware malware acts like all malicious software but only encrypts your data. Plus, its infection happens quicker than other malicious acts. Also, you cannot decrypt your files after a ransomware attack by other means. That’s why mobile ransomware attacks are the favorite tools of hackers to squeeze money out of innocent people.
Phishing attacks
One of the most common attacks in the digital world is phishing, and most people fall victim to it. Most of the time, it happens when you click on a link in your mail, message, or website. Next, malware, Trojans, and viruses infect your mobile devices.
Most people think that phishing attack happens only through emails. But it’s not true at all. Only 15% of phishing attacks come through regular emails. The rest of them happen through SMS, social media, gaming, and messaging applications. In fact, a phishing attack can bring various kinds of damages to your mobile device and life, including stolen credentials and compromised data. However, the general population cannot save themselves from phishing without careful internet behavior.
Identity Theft
Your username and password create your identity in the digital world. If someone has your username and password, he/she can access your portals, steal data, and know everything about you. Such an act that gives your identity credentials to another person for malicious use is called identity theft. And it happens very commonly on the internet.
Hackers steal your identity by making you type your password and username on a web script by using human engineering. When you type in your credentials, you give your identity unknowingly. Next, bad actors use your credentials for their gain.
Poor password security
Having a weak password or not using two-factor authentication is costly. Hackers can find information through your public profiles and use it to guess your password. Most people use common combinations for all of their account passwords. It’s a careless act that can lose your account and data. Bad actors also use brute-force applications to enter every combination of letters on the keyboard to access your accounts.
So, it’s wise to use complex passwords on all your accounts, along with enabling two-factor authentication. Remember, criminals can infect your mobile device with malware, and if you have weak passwords, you are done.
How can you protect yourself from security threats?
Yes, mobile security threats scare everyone. But if you do the following, you’ll remain safe.
Always update your mobile software regularly. Only 20% of android users have the newest version, and only 2.3% of users have the latest release. Hackers find out loops in older versions of operating systems and use them to breach devices. An updated system gives you better protection against all present, potential gateways.
Always install mobile security software. You can protect your computer with computer security, and mobile security protects your mobile from attacks. Also, do not forget to update your mobile security software every month. It’ll strengthen your security against the newest threats. Remember, you should always use a mobile security application from a trusted and reputable provider.
Always install a strong firewall. It’ll help you safeguard your data and privacy from running digital threats. Most malicious apps get stopped instantly by having an updated firewall system on your mobile. So, don’t take it lightly.
Use a strong passcode on your phone. If you don’t have a passcode, anyone can get access to your data when you are away from your phone. In case of theft, you cannot do anything to protect your data. It’s wise to enable fingerprint authorization if your mobile has one.
Only use official app stores to download applications. Reputed app stores reduce your risk and ensure your safety. You’ll get saved from downloading bad apps. Don’t install any app through links from the web or social media messaging. It’ll most likely infect your device and compromise your mobile security.
Don’t forget to read the end-user agreement while installing applications. Many gray apps rely on your negligence and install malicious applications in your mobile with your agreement. So, read everything in the end-user agreement, and don’t skip fine prints.
Conclusion
First, malicious applications and websites pose a serious threat to your mobile security. Your data and credentials are always at stake due to them. Secondly, ransomware attacks have become common, and you get your data back only after ransom payment. Thirdly, phishing has become so common that you cannot trust links now. Fourthly, your identity can get stolen, and your data can be compromised due to poor password security. So, use all prevention tips to ensure top-notch mobile security.Remember, web surfing comes with threats to your personal data, privacy, and anonymity. So, it’s wise to use a virtual private network to satisfy your web browsing needs with complete anonymity and privacy. In such a case, Turbo VPN is the best that you can get right now. Use it for your safety, privacy, and anonymity. Have a great day.
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