Mobile Malware Attacks on the Rise

Criminals, especially the cyber variety, never sleep. They are always looking for new inroads to making easy money. Here’s an alarming mobile-threat statistic: over the last few years, mobile malware attacks have surged by 500%. This exponential increase is all the more alarming because many people aren’t yet adequately protecting their smartphones. If you use your smartphone for business, your company’s internal IT support or outsourced Managed IT Services provider can set up the Cybersecurity for you.

Every year, mobile phones become more powerful. They now perform many of the same functions as a computer – just on a smaller screen. The problem is that people tend to secure their computers better than they do their smartphones.

A change is definitely in order. Over 60% of digital fraud now occurs through mobile devices. That makes them highly risky if proper safeguards aren’t followed.

Many of the same types of protections you have on your computer are also available for your phone, so it really is time to start thinking about your smartphone as a mini-computer and keeping it just as secure.

How do I make my phone more secure?

Get a Mobile Anti-malware App

Your mobile phone needs antivirus/anti-malware just like your computer. Malware can and does infect smartphones and tablets. You need to ensure you have a reliable mobile anti-malware app installed.

Are there free malware apps?

Yes, but beware! Do NOT be taken in by free apps for this. Freebies are great when you’re talking about food, but not for Cybersecurity apps. Not only are free anti-malware apps less robust, but malware is often hidden inside them. Ironically, these apps are supposed to make you more secure. Buy a next-gen app that does the full job and remember: You get what you pay for.

Do NOT Download Apps from Unknown Sources

This is just common sense, and it’s true for all devices, not just smartphones. Only download mobile apps from trusted sources. Do not download outside a main app store. Trusted app stores include places like:

Apple App Store

Google Play

The Microsoft Store

Amazon Appstore

When you are unfamiliar with the app developer, you should research them online to see what, if any, buzz there is – about their apps and their reputation. Once you download a dangerous app to your phone, it can infect it with malware. That malware can remain behind even if you delete the app later.

Do NOT Assume Your Email on a Mobile Device is Safe

Checking your email on a phone rather than a PC is handy, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security about the safety of emails when viewed on a mobile device.

The same rules that apply to your computer also apply to your mobile devices – except mobile devices are typically less secure. Be just as wary about unexpected and/or unusual emails and scam emails masquerading as legitimate. There is no Nigerian Prince out there waiting to make you rich.

It’s easy to hover over a link without clicking to see the real identity of the sender on a computer, but It’s more difficult to do on a smartphone. If you see something questionable and want to check the link, open the email on your PC where you can do that.

Watch Out for SMS Phishing (‘Smishing’)

Smishing is simply the texting version of email phishing, and it’s on the rise. In March of 2022, text spam outpaced robocalls, with unwanted text messages rising 30% - ten percent higher than robocalls. Many of those spam texts are smishing. In 2023, Americans received 225 billion spam texts, a 157% increase year-over-year.

Personal example: A while back, I received a text saying that my Netflix account had been suspended because of a billing problem, and a link to check it out was provided. I happened to be home at the time, so I just tuned in on my TV to Netflix – not suspended. DO NOT click links like that.

Smishing texts usually contain malicious links. A hacker can potentially breach your device if you click them. The message may also ask you to text back personal information. Do not EVER verify login credentials, account info or ESPECIALLY your Social Security Number (SSN)! No legitimate organization will ask you for that information in a text.

Keep an eye out for text messages that don’t quite make sense. For example, getting a shipping notification when you haven’t ordered anything or a funny photo from somebody who never sent you a funny photo before (with a link or attachment provided). Also, beware of texts from unknown sources.

Smishing is a growing problem, and since most people aren’t yet aware of it, they often get caught in the trap.

Remove Old Apps You No Longer Use

There are about 2.6 million apps that have not been updated in a year or more. Apps are often abandoned by the developer. This can leave security vulnerabilities on your device and hackers seek these out to exploit. If they aren’t addressed (removed), then they remain a danger.

Comb through your devices and remove old applications that you are no longer using. There is no reason to keep them around, potentially leaving your device at risk. If you switched to WhatsApp, get rid of Skype.

Check the time of the last update. If it’s over a year, then you may want to consider replacing that app with something more current. App updates often include security-related items. It’s not good when a year or more goes by without the developer making any type of update to the app.

Update your Devices Regularly

This is another area that applies equally to your office network as well as your mobile devices. It is requisite that you keep your device's operating system updated. Are you using the current version of Android or iOS? Not installing updates can mean your phone has vulnerabilities, as updates typically include bolstered defenses to newer security threats. Hackers are looking for these vulnerabilities to breach and steal, scam, or wreak havoc.

Wherever possible, automate your updates. If you have a company with workers who use several devices including mobile, then it’s a good idea to include your phones on a Managed IT services plan.

If you MUST use Public Wi-Fi, Have a VPN

NOT using Public Wi-Fi is the very best advice – it’s dangerous and easily hacked. Many people understand that but connect to it out of necessity. Maybe your mobile carrier reception is slow, or you’re worried about exceeding your data plan allotment. Both are reasons people are willing to connect to unsecured public hot spots.

There is less risk because the VPN stands between your device and the internet, providing anonymity and encryption. They route your data through a secure server, which keeps it away from prying eyes that may be lurking on that public Wi-Fi, waiting to copy your passwords or account information.