Internet security is among the top risks facing individuals and businesses today. With the robust growth of internet-enabled mobile devices across the globe, these tools have become the number one target for cyber attacks.
Mobile security involves protecting portable devices such as laptops, tablets, smart watches, and phones against cyber threats. Today, the need for protection is more critical because we store a lot of sensitive data on these devices. Studies show that mobile banking is one of the top three most used apps by Americans. The case is similar in other countries especially in the developing and emerging markets.
Most individuals and small businesses also use their smartphones and laptops to login into their emails and social media pages. With each day that passes, we are adding some data to our digital footprints through our mobile devices, making it easy for hackers to target us.
What is worrying is not having digital footprints for they are inevitable but the high level of ignorance about cybersecurity by mobile internet users.
A survey by Consumer Report shows that 34 per cent of all smartphone owners do not bother at all with their devices cybersecurity. According to the study, this explains why so many people’s accounts get hacked when their mobile devices get lost or are stolen.
Also, few people take extra precautionary measures such as installing software that can track the phone if it is stolen, an antivirus, software that can erase data on the phone and encryption measures such as VPN.
Having strong passwords and unlock patterns ensures that no one can access your data if your phone gets stolen or is misplaced.
A reliable antivirus, on the other hand, thwarts hackers and prevents malware installation. In most cases, attackers find their way into your phone by sending you malicious links camouflaged as communication from legitimate sources.
The malware, Trojans, and viruses are automatically installed into your devices when you click on these links. A simple act such as opening a suspicious email can also expose you to cyber attacks.
As a rule of thumb, always avoid clicking on suspicious links or emails when using your mobile devices. Have a reliable antivirus and extra measures such as a phone tracking app, data erasing app and a VPN. For the record, a VPN enables you to surf the web without exposing your real IP address.
Strong passwords/patterns are also a must-have for your smartphones. If you have too many passwords, consider using password management apps. Read online guides and reviews to identify the best.
Malvertisers spam your browser with lots of unsolicited ads. They commonly feed malicious codes into their online adverts to infect your mobile devices. The situation here is however complicated in that you cannot easily differentiate these ads from the legit ones.
Just like infected emails and links, the ads by malvertizers are laden with malware, viruses, and Trojans and will likely poke loopholes in your mobile devices thus giving hackers entry.
Other malverts can also lead you to other more dangerous sites. Here, your devices are likely to be infected with viruses, and in the worst case scenario all your critical data is stolen and held at ransom.
Malware and virus mainly attack mobile devices when you run corrupted files on them or open malicious links. The effects of malware and virus attacks can be devastating. A robust mobile security approach can, however, help you detect and avoid them.
How?
A good antivirus will let you know if you are infected with malware or viruses and at what level.
An antivirus will also warn you against opening links which can’t be trusted. Even better, it will delete certain forms of malware and viruses instantly hence averting potential dangers.
You could lose a mobile device with critical business information or personal data. You could also part ways with employees, and they leave with devices which contain your company’s data.
As mentioned earlier, an excellent mobile cybersecurity strategy should include software that erases data on your remote devices at a click of a button. Remember that a good number of cyberattacks begin with mobile devices with personal data landing into the hands of villains.
5. The best mobile security software will notify you when there are updates to be made
Software patching is the most crucial step in any cybersecurity strategy. Studies show that most cyber attacks that succeed are enabled by unpatched software.
A good mobile cybersecurity strategy should include software to let you know when there are updates to be made.
Regularly patching your software will help you thwart potential attacks most of the time. Remember that a single successful cyber attack has the potential to wreck you or your business financially and reputation-wise.