The rise of mobile security threats has been recorded for the past several years. Ever since mobile devices became full computer mini-devices with top-level internet capabilities, the threats on these devices have been increasing. Many statistics today show that mobile security threats are among the most pervasive in the market of devices. Android, the largest mobile platform recorded that up to 50% of its users could be exposed to risk at any given moment for a wide variety of reasons. In 2019, there are a number of lethal security threats facing mobile devices. We discuss them here.
Phishing
As the hacking attacks get more sophisticated, hackers have increasingly turned to phishing. Phishing is the process of soliciting information from especially via unsafe links. Mobile devices are some of the most threatened tools when it comes to phishing. This is because of the delicate nature of mobile screens. Not only is it easy to click on an unsafe link unintentionally, but it is also possible to fail to differentiate between safe and unsafe links. Mobile device users also spend more time on their machines than PC users. This is why phishing is a huge threat in 2019.
Spyware
The world of mobile devices has already seen many forms of malware. The current generation of threats is spyware. These are small programs that track and record the information of a user without their consent. Spyware programs are especially used by rogue companies and individuals who benefit in some way by knowing the location of particular mobile users. Spyware is spread in the same manner that other kinds of malware programs are spread. The best tool to combat spyware programs, therefore, is the normal antivirus program.
Insecure Wi-Fi Networks and Spoofing
Networks are also major sources of insecurity in the mobile device realm. Nowadays, there are many networks spread out all over public places. Spoofing is the use of fake access points by a hacker to steal information from unsuspecting users. There has been a rise of spoofing attacks with increased network access, especially via Wi-Fi. Hackers often create clone networks or simply ask users to create some form of account via a public network. By doing this, a user exposes some of the sensitive information that they might be used to secure other accounts. Tools like ExpressVPN and other network privacy tools can help fight the rising cases of spoofing.
Data Exposure
Data is very sensitive in the modern world. Inside any given mobile device out there, users keep their banking and financial information or other kinds of personal information. This means that the potential of losing this information through leaks is high. Data leaks come as a result of the installation of apps that either require some ambiguous permissions or simply lack defined permissions. Most of the free apps that come from different app stores often fall in this category. It is important to ensure that apps that are being downloaded to your device are from reputable sources.
Bad Codes
Poor cryptography is also a major source of insecurity. During the process of app development, engineers might end up using poor coding techniques. In such cases, the apps made could be insecure and a source of threat for the whole device. App development today requires proper adherence to modern cryptographic rules and standards. Most times when bad cryptography is used, the problem is usually the lack of time or financial resources to allow for a full app creation process. App development needs to be done to finality. All the processes involved in the development, including testing, should be done according to modern requirements. Doing this can remove flaws in the codes and make apps safer.
Social Engineering
Finally, the threat of social engineering still continues to rise across the board. In mobile devices, many different strategies are used by attackers. The main strategies include using fake and false information to try and get data from mobile users. Today, hackers are using inventive language in order to make mobile users give up just a little bit of their personal information. They can do this for a long time and accumulate enough data to carry out an attack. Social engineering attacks have been rising because of the proliferation of many communication apps and platforms.
