Top reasons why mobile devices are a threat to cybersecurity.
Over time, mobile phones have experienced rapid development. The increase in the market purchase has made the mobile device man’s best friend — ahead of the trusty dog. Well, not quite. But there’s no doubt that the mobile device has become a man’s constant companion.
The mobile functionality, multipurpose facilities, its handy nature, and its own ability to do various tasks off and on the internet make it nearly impossible to live without.
Internet-connected mobile smartphones have presented advantages to the work environment. Also, mobile devices have helped in building social support systems and relationships between people.
However, in recent times, mobile phones are susceptible and have develop into a breeding ground for hackers and spammers giving them access to some company data and personal databases. Furthermore, mobile devices are not often updated like pcs (PC); thus; cyber attackers use the gap in a company’s security space to their particular advantage.
In the following paragraphs, five ways mobile devices are the biggest threat to cybersecurity will soon be discussed.
- Malware Attacks on Smartphone Operating System
Malware is a pc software created by hackers to disrupt computer operation, steal sensitive and painful information, and access private computer systems. Examples of malware include computer viruses, worms, spyware, and all other malicious programs.
In a bid to decrease Malware attacks on smartphones, IT security specialists have studied malware attacks and have created various security products to combat such attacks. However, malware attacks on smartphones are fast evolving; a typical example of this is seen with ZitMo “Zeus-in-the-Mobile.”
ZitMo malware is targeted mainly on Android operator’s bank apps; it attempts to bypass the two-factor authentication of the bank application, steal credentials and gain access to bank accounts, which could eventually be disastrous for the victims.
2. Social Networking and Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) Applications
Smartphones do numerous activities, like sending emails, storing contact information, passwords, along with other vital data. In addition to this, smartphones are devices of preference when it comes to social networking; ergo, mobile applications for social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) are still another breeding ground for cyber attackers to gain personal data from smartphone users.
Social networking web sites are host to a surplus of personal data. That is the reason why malicious applications use social media sites to steal data and yield severe consequences.
3. Smartphones Permissions
Smartphones use permission mechanisms to know what users are allowed to do in applications. The permissions are achieved through the “manifest permission” that grant these permissions to the applications independently. In turn, this process enables an application to run independently from one another as well as from the operating-system.
However, the convenience of allowing applications to seek permission beyond their sandbox capabilities might be harmful to smartphones since it creates the opportunity for malware to exploit the ability to access sensitive data on Android handsets and so install malicious software.
4. Smart Mobile Web Browsers
Web browsers are the mostly used applications on smartphones; they are used to gain access to the internet. Every browser is advanced with updated usability and ubiquity, hence, each browser includes some perceived and real benefits.
The bad combinations
However, web browsers are more prone to vulnerabilities and cyberthreats when users access internet sites that hold possible risks of malware and other threats in it, for instance — bookmarks paired with saved logins — for an associated site — these are a very bad combination.
The combinations have a higher risk to your system and personal data because cybercriminals can gain access to your personal data and system when you visit sites with possible threats in it and will operate on your account from wherever.
5. Wi-fi Interference
The security protocol used to protect the vast majority of wifi connections has been broken, likely exposing wireless internet traffic to malicious sleuth and attacks, according to the researchers who discovered the weakness.
An unsecured public wireless network along with unsecured file-sharing could allow a malicious user to access any directories and files you have inadvertently made available for sharing.
Not all attackers depend on gaining access to important computer data via physically stealing your device. Attackers could have unrestricted access to all of your data, as well as any connected cloud accounts when they gain access to a totally free and public wireless network.
Conclusion
Soon, the society can get to experience a striking increase in malware and notable advancements in malware-related attacks, not specially directed to smartphone users as the user base has grown exponentially.
Fortunately, there are possible solutions to the rampant cybersecurity problem with smartphones. Once the society acknowledges that cybersecurity threats are detrimental not only to one smartphone user but to society as a whole, then the inception of a remedy can begin.
The value of data is steadily increasing, potentially more so than actual money. It is imperative to establish a culture of cybersecurity because this matter is multifaceted, and technology is continuously evolving.
Originally published by: Debbie Fong (2020). Cybersecurity. [online] Digital Marketing News. Available at: digitalmarketingnews.com