Cybersecurity researchers uncovered an alarming mobile statistic. During the first few months of 2022, mobile malware attacks surged by 500%. This is alarming both in scale and because many people are not yet protecting smartphones.
For years, mobile phones have become more powerful. They now do many of the same functions as a computer but with a much smaller screen. However, people tend to secure their computers better than they do their smartphones.
This is a behavior that needs to change. Over 60% of digital fraud now occurs through mobile devices. That makes them highly risky if proper safeguards are not followed.
Many of these are the same types of protections you have on your computer. It is time to start thinking about your smartphone as a mini-computer and keeping it just as secure.
Tips to Improve the Security of Your Smartphone
Use Mobile Anti-Malware
Your mobile phone needs antivirus/anti-malware too! Malware can and does infect smartphones and tablets. You need to ensure that you have a reliable mobile anti-malware app installed.
Beware of those freebies. Freebies are great when you’re talking about food but not when it comes to security apps. Malware is often hidden inside free apps. These apps are ironically supposed to make you more secure.
Don’t Download Apps from Unknown Sources
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
You also should research the app developer online. Make sure they have a good 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.
Don’t Assume Email is Safe
Many people prefer checking email on their phone rather than PC because it is so handy. They have a false sense of security about the safety of emails when viewed on a mobile device.
You can’t assume an email is safe just because you’re not on your computer. Be just as wary about unexpected emails and scam emails masquerading as legitimate.
It is difficult to hover over a link without clicking when 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.
Beware of SMS Phishing (aka “Smishing”)
In March of 2022, text spam outpaced robocalls. Unwanted text messages rose by 30% which is ten percent higher than robocalls. Many of those spam texts are smishing.
Smishing is the text version of phishing. These 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.
Be on the lookout for text messages that don’t quite make sense. For example, getting a shipping notification when you haven’t ordered anything. Also, beware of texts from unknown sources.
Phishing via text message is a growing concern. It is also one that most people aren’t aware of yet so they often get caught in its trap.
Remove Old Apps You No Longer Use
Approximately 2.6 million apps haven’t had an update in a year or more. Apps are often abandoned by the developer. This can leave security vulnerabilities on your device. Hackers seek out these types of vulnerabilities to exploit. If they aren’t addressed, they remain a danger.
Go through your device and remove old applications that you are no longer using. There is no reason to keep them around and potentially leave your device at risk.
Additionally, look at the time of the last update. If it is over a year, you may want to consider replacing that app with something more current. App updates often include security-related items. It is not good when a year or more goes by without the developer making any type of update to the app.
Keep Your Device Updated
Speaking of updates, you also need to 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. These vulnerabilities allow hackers to breach your data.
Automate updates when possible. If you have a company with several devices, it is a good idea to include your phones on a managed IT services plan.
Use a VPN When on Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is dangerous. Most people understand that but many connect to it out of necessity. You may worry about going over your data plan allotment. Your mobile carrier reception may be slow. Both cases are reasons people opt to connect to unsecured public hot spots.
You can connect to public Wi-fi with less risk if you use a VPN application. VPNs stand between your device and the internet. They route your data through a secure server. This keeps it away from prying eyes that may be lurking on that public Wi-Fi.
Mobile Security Solutions to Prevent a Data Breach
Don’t wait until your phone is infected with malware to secure it properly. We can help you with automated solutions that protect your device, accounts and data. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
The previous years have seen an increase in cyberattacks that is projected to continue over time. Is your mobile phone adequately secured or is it at risk for a mobile malware attack? Users may be more vulnerable to cybercrime attacks and data breaches if they only use their mobile devices for browsing and other daily activities.Read more
Approximately 34% of businesses take a week or longer to regain access to their data and systems once hit with a malware attack.
Malware is an umbrella term that encompasses many different types of malicious code. It can include:
- Viruses
- Ransomware
- Spyware
- Trojans
- Adware
- Key loggers
The longer that malware sits on your system unchecked means more damage that it can do. Most forms of malware have a directive built in to spread to as many systems as possible. So, if not caught and removed right away, one computer could end up infecting 10 more on the same network in no time.
Early detection is key so you can disconnect an infected device from your network and have it properly cleaned by a professional.
Keep an eye out for these key warning signs of malware infection so you can jump into action and reduce your risk.
STRANGE POPUPS ON YOUR DESKTOP
Some forms of malware can take on the disguise of being an antivirus app or warranty notice that pops up on your screen. Hackers try to mimic things that users may have seen from a legitimate program so that they will be more likely to click without thinking.
If you begin to see a strange “renew your antivirus” subscription alert or a warranty renewal that doesn’t quite make sense, these could be signs that your PC has been infected with adware or another type of malware.
NEW SLUGGISH BEHAVIOR
Computers can become sluggish for a number of reasons that include having too many browser tabs open at once or running a memory-intensive program. You typically know your computer and the types of things that slow it down.
If you notice new sluggish behavior that is out of the ordinary, this could be an infection. One example would be if you don’t have any programs open except notepad or another simple app but you are experience freezing.
When malware is running in the background, it can often eat up system resources and cause your system to get sluggish.
APPLICATIONS START CRASHING
Applications should not just crash out of the blue. There is always a reason. Either the software is faulty, there has been an issue with an update or something else is messing with that application’s files.
If you suddenly experience apps crashing and it requires you to restart the app or reboot your system, this is another telltale sign that a virus, trojan or other malicious code has been introduced.
YOUR BROWSER HOME PAGE IS REDIRECTED
If you open your browser and land on a homepage that is not the one that you normally see, have your PC scanned for malware right away. Redirecting a home page is a common ploy of certain types of malware.
The malware will infect your system and change the system setting for your default browser home page. This may lead you to a site filled with popup ads or to another type of phishing site.
Just trying to change your homepage back in your settings won’t fix the situation. It’s important to have the malware removed.
SUDDEN REBOOTS
Another annoying trait of certain types of malicious code is to make your system reboot without warning.
This can cause you to lose the work that you have just done and can make it difficult to get anything done. This may happen when malware is changing core system files behind the scenes. Your system becomes unstable and can often reboot unexpectedly when files are corrupted.
YOU ARE MISSING HARD DRIVE SPACE
If you find that a good deal of your hard drive space that was previously open is now gone, it could be a malware infection taking up your space. Some types of malware may make copies of files or introduce new files into your system.
They will cleverly hide. Don’t expect to see the word “malware” on a file search. Instead, the dangerous activities will usually be masked by a generic-sounding name that you mistake for a normal system file.
YOU RUN ACROSS CORRUPTED FILES
If you open a file and find it corrupted, this could be a red flag that ransomware or another form of malware has infected your system.
While files can occasionally become corrupt for other reasons, this is a serious issue that deserves a thorough malware scan if you see it.
PC “PROCESSING SOUNDS”
Most of us are familiar with those “thinking sounds” when our computer is processing something memory intensive. You will usually hear a type of whirring that will go away once you finish that activity.
If you begin hearing this processing sound when you’re not doing anything particularly intense on your computer, this could be a sign that malware is running in the background and it should be checked out.
GET EXPERT MALWARE SCANNING & REMOVAL
Free online malware and virus scans aren’t very reliable. It is better to come to a professional that can ensure your entire system is cleaned properly.
Sound Computers is always happy to help. Reach out to us at (860) 577-8060 or use our convenient contact form.