Mobile security threats are increasing at a rapid rate. If you have yet to embark on various cybersecurity tactics, your smartphone could experience a cyber attack that could lead to the loss or theft of your data, such as your financial information, photos or account details.
Unfortunately, there are a number of ways your device can fall vulnerable to hacking. Check out the biggest mobile security threats you need to be aware of in 2019.
Public Wi-Fi Networks
Many people are guilty of accessing a public Wi-Fi connection, as they might wish to browse the internet at an airport, coffee shop, or a hotel. It is, however, important to bear in mind that most public Wi-Fi networks are unsecured, which can lead to the hacking of your device and data.
Unless you want your social media applications, banking apps or important files to be breached, you would be smart to avoid public Wi-Fi networks at all costs. If you do use them, avoid visiting websites or applications that require you to input your personal data, such as your:
- Financial information
- Usernames and passwords
- Account information
Phishing Attacks
As your smartphone is more than likely always by your side, it can be easy to click on a malicious email once it pops up on your screen. As a result, you could take a cybercriminal’s bait by clicking on a phishing scam that could lead to the downloading a harmful piece of malware or entering data into a fake website.
You would be wise to review every email that enters your inbox carefully, and you must never click on unfamiliar and unexpected URLs. Instead, you should always manually enter a web address for peace of mind.
Poor Hardware Security
Many modern consumers rely on software security tools to effectively protect their smartphone or another device, with many people investing in firewalls, anti-virus programs, and VPNs. However, even the finest cybersecurity software solutions will be ineffective if a device features insecure hardware. It is, therefore, essential for engineers to make cybersecurity a primary concern when building a printed circuit board.
Spyware
Mobile threats not only come from hackers, but your cybersecurity could also be compromised by your spouse or employer. For example, they might install a spyware program onto your personal or professional mobile device to track your location and monitor your behavior. To ensure you don’t become a victim of spyware, install a reputable anti-virus and malware detection program to both identify and remove a program from a device.
Data Leakage
Many mobile device users don’t think twice about a mobile application’s security, as they might believe their data will be protected. However, mobile applications can be a leading cause of inadvertent data leakage.
For example, an application could send your personal or corporate data to a remote server, which could be unknowingly acquired by either cybercriminals or advertisers. To prevent this problem from arising, only grant apps with necessary permissions and avoid providing them with more data than required. 📱
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