We all know that our PC can be infected by malware or malicious software. Like our PC, our mobile devices are not safe too! Nowadays, the usage of the smartphone is increasing day by day. The number of mobile malware is also rising. You will have zero ideas, but maybe someone from somewhere far from your location is observing your phone calls, your GPS, your messages, contact numbers and even controlling your device! It sounds disturbing, right?But yes! It’s happening. Hackers and cyber criminals are targeting the smartphone users around the world and sending various types of mobile malware to those smartphone users. A conclusion? Follow the cyber security tips for your mobile phone, as well as you follow them while using your computer. So, here we will be focusing on mobile security vulnerabilities.
What are Mobile Security Vulnerabilities?
Mobile security vulnerabilities are like PC security threats. There are some classes of risks you should know about. So, let’s see what kind of threat your smartphone can always face. There are four types of threats as follows:
Application based.
Web based.
Network based.
Physical.
Application Based Threat
Your mobile device can be infected by any Apps-based threats anytime like malware, spyware, privacy threats and vulnerable applications or tools. So, only install authorized apps. Apps are available on play store and having good reviews doesn’t always means that your phone will be safer with that particular apps. Any apps can be total waste by any malware anytime! So, be careful when you install apps.
Web Based Threat
Our smartphones are continually connected to the internet. It’s normal. Because we can do such important things through our smartphone like mail checking, sending, instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter and more. However, some web-based threats can ruin your device or your privacy. Phishing, scamming, spam mail, drive-by downloads are few of those web-based threats. So, watch out when you are using the internet consistently.
Network Based
The smartphone supports cellular-based network and also wireless network such as Wi-Fi. You should be extra careful when you are at a free Wi-Fi zone! There are some dangerous Wi-Fi threats like Wi-Fi sniffing. Hacker will sniff and find out your device automatically to gain illegal access to your device. So, careful guys.
Physical Threat
Remember, your stolen mobile phone can be a significant threat to your business and other personal matters in your life. A mobile device is a small piece of machine in your pocket, and wherever you go, your phone will go with you too. So, be alert. Your phone is not valuable just because of its hardware and sleek design but the personal or any relevant information it may contain.
These are some classifications of mobile security threats. Now we will go to the detail.
Malware
Malware is otherwise known as malicious software. Like PC, smartphones and tablets are vulnerable too. Your smartphones can also get infected by some malicious software like Trojans, viruses, spyware and worms. Attackers can develop a malware and send it to your phone from anywhere.
Spyware: Spyware is such kind of malware which is designed to collect, steal or control any private data on your phone from the distance. Like, contact numbers. Mails, card number, messages and any private photos can be stolen by spyware.
Phishing scam
Phishing scam is a very tricky threat for your mobile or PC. The attacker will target your Facebook, Twitter or Email and send you a link to a website that is designed to trick you to give all the private information like passwords and so on. Once you give the password or numbers, you are doomed.
Wi-Fi Sniffing
Wi-Fi sniffing is a network security threat for your smartphone. The attacker will be able to catch all the data traveling between your device and the specific Wi-Fi access point. As we know that many applications and websites are not using proper security measures to send encrypted data through the network, which can be easily infiltrated and read by someone unknown. Learn more about the secure Wi-Fi handling with the best internet security tips.
Theft and Loss
This is a physical threat. By stealing your phone, a thief can gain access to the device and can use your private information for a further criminal act.
Follow these rules to protect your smartphones from hackers and cyber threats:
Use strong password. You know that anyone can steal your device physically. So, if that happens, your given password stop the thief or invader to get the accessibility.
Surf the web carefully. Try to surf secured https sites. At least, do not conduct any personal or financial matters when using public Wi-Fi network.
Download any apps from Amazon and iTunes are competitively safe. However, Android store is full of malware. So, if you are an Android guy, be careful when you download apps.
So, use anti-malware and antivirus for your phone and on your tablet to prevent mobile security vulnerabilities.