Mobile phones are the most convenient and efficient portal to the online world. They enable us to stay connected with everyone and everything while on the move. While this small device has made our life very much more accessible, many mobile users accept multiple mobile apps and services that collect personal information in exchange for different services.
However, it is essential to mention that so much access to personal information can quickly bring in the potential risk of the same data falling into the wrong hands. In the case of the enterprise data, different legal implications with it.
With more web traffic now being received on mobile devices, cybercriminals are more than active before and trying to bait victims with different scams. They have also started to focus on developing the most efficient social engineering techniques to bolster success rates instead of using obsolete technology to exploit someone.
With the mobile security threat elevated, securing mobile devices goes beyond using a Virtual Private Network. However, it is still one of the most effective and popular methods to counter any cybersecurity threat. VPN providers like NordVPN are well known for offering state-of-the-art security features that should keep anyone safe from any form of cyberthreat. To learn more about this provider so you can make better-informed decisions, check out our review of NordVPN.
In this blog, you will find some of the significant cybersecurity threats faced by mobile users. Before we continue, let’s take a look at the four different types of cybersecurity threats.
- Application-based threats – Applications that look legitimate but are designed for spreading Spyware and Malware.
- Web-based threats – Threats invited into your device by downloading malicious content through the website’s back end.
- Network-based threats – Threats that are injected into the device when you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
- Physical threats – These threats are a result of your mobile phone being lost or stolen. This is the most dangerous mobile threat as cybercriminal has direct access to your sensitive personal information.
Data Leaks
Data leaks are the accidental or unapproved transferal of personal information from a mobile phone over the internet. Mobile apps, malicious or even legitimate, can cause data leakage.
Research shows that the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is the most regularly leaked in a username, password, and credit card numbers/details.
To avoid data leaks, the users are advised only to give those apps the permissions they need to function correctly and be wary of the apps that ask for more than necessary.
Phishing
The most common online threat faced by mobile users. Also, mobile users are more vulnerable to Phishing threats as they are accessing their emails in real-time. The small size of the mobile screen makes it very difficult to identify any suspicious-looking URLs.
To protect yourself from Phishing scams, make sure to avoid clicking suspicious links, download the apps from trusted sources only and install antivirus software with security features enabled.
You can safeguard your mobile phone security and protect yourself from all sorts of online threats with only these best security apps in 2021.
Malware
Different malicious apps inject malware into mobile devices. These include spyware, ransomware, trojan, banker, and adware. Their function includes exploiting operating system vulnerabilities, altering the device’s configuration to download more malicious software, inject pop-up ads and cripple devices, making the device completely unusable.
To protect your device against malware, ensure that you don’t jailbreak your device, use VPN software, download apps from trusted sources and run a vulnerability scanner when you can.
Insecure Wi-Fi Networks
Insecure Wi-Fi Networks are hotspots that invite cybercriminals to intercept your online activity and steal your personal information and data.
To prevent this, we recommend avoiding connecting to untrusted Wi-Fi networks and never use it to access sensitive information. If necessary, always use a VPN with strong encryption to safeguard your online privacy and data.
To subscribe to the best VPN for your device, we recommend learning more about trusted VPNs for Android and iOS first.
Screen Lock Configuration
Being one of the most crucial and straightforward mobile security measures yet neglected by millions of people every day.
If the mobile phone gets lost or stolen or left unattended, anyone can easily access your phone and the information it has in it. By creating a complex password-protected screen lock configuration, you’d mitigate the risks mentioned above.
Outdated Operating Systems
One of the other most common mistakes made by mobile users is not installing the security patches or updates of the operating system. By delaying them, users make their operating system outdated, and hence it becomes vulnerable to cyberattacks. Exploiting an outdated operating system and stealing confidential information is very easy for cybercriminals, especially when there is no security deployed to counter them.
Improper App Permissions
There are millions of mobile phone applications available for download on the different app stores. While many of them are secure and safe, others are not. These applications can severely compromise your online privacy and share your personal information with different third parties organizations.
Don’t be surprised if you found such an application on Google Play and Apple Store as well. You can limit access to such applications by not giving them the required permissions.
As mobile has surely become the new outskirts for cyber threats, mobile users must understand common threat vectors and prepare themselves for the next-gen malicious activities. Users must follow conventional mobile security practices to reduce threats.
