Top 6 Mobile Security Threats, Examples, and Solutions

Mobile security is a preventive measure every individual and enterprise adopts to safeguard sensitive data on portable devices. For enterprises, mobile security is helpful in meeting compliance, managing an effective BYOD culture, and enforcing security policies.

The increasing number of mobile applications and excessive use of smart devices have increased security threats. As per NowSure, around 25% of two million apps on the Google Play Store contain inadequate security. So, it has become necessary to understand the latest threats to our devices and the measures to ensure protection against them.

1 Why Mobile Security Matters?

Nowadays, utilization of mobile devices has become crucial for business growth and development and smooth working. Another primary reason for the excessive usage of smart devices is mobility, and they are easy to carry.

Various digital devices have been designed with interactive interfaces to streamline business operations and handle transactions. Network security is a prior concern for corporate sectors, especially for the latest gadgets like wearable and IoT devices. Some potential threats we can overcome using mobile security are phishing scams, data breaches, spyware, Wi-Fi insecurity, and app vulnerabilities.

Another important threat to companies arises when the employees lose their company-owned devices having confidential data. It is essential to secure such devices and take precautions to safeguard them from being misused.

Mobile security plays a crucial role in supporting enterprise devices by remotely managing controls of your devices. You can use remote lockdown or factory reset features using various applications to restrict device usage or permanently remove data from devices.

In enterprises with BYOD environments, unnecessary device usage is excessively observed, which gives birth to high potential risks for enterprise data. Mobile security helps businesses secure device data using containerization and other specialized security features.

2 Top 6 Mobile Security Threats & Examples

Malware

Cyber security in mobile phones can be breached by malware. It is a short name for malicious software that harms computers and computer systems. In cyber, It is an erroneous assumption that malware is a virus. But in reality, hackers developed software to steal confidential information.

Malware does not damage your hardware equipment but slows down their processing. Hackers can steal or remove computer data and spy on your device's activities without permission.

Hackers usually hide them in images, videos, documents, and other files. Then, it is shared on various websites and through emails to reach numerous devices. Sometimes, it is also transferred to devices using a USB drive. Hackers usually hide them.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a widespread social engineering attack on a user's credentials. It is primarily used to steal emails, passwords, bank account details, and other sensitive information by sending an infected text message or email. For individual users, it can result in stealing funds, unauthorized purchasing, and identity theft, while for enterprises, phishing can lead to significant financial and reputational loss, resulting in reduced market share and consumer trust.

The method includes a web page where the user adds confidential information to make transactions or gain access to the account. Instead, the data entered is retrieved by hackers, who gain access to users' accounts to misuse it.

Applications

Various vulnerable open-source components added in apps allow cybercriminals to attack devices. App developers might fail to apply or follow appropriate codes to ensure data security. Allowing unnecessary access to the device by app permission manager data asked by unauthorized apps also results in data leakage.

A few common vulnerabilities in mobile apps include insecure data storage, improper platform usage, weak authentication, low-quality coding, code tempering, and insufficient cryptography.

Network Spoofing

A widespread cyber threat to mobile users is increasing rapidly, with a double ratio every month from the prior month. According to Kaspersky, network spoofing is observed to be carried out in different ways. But the most common one is to create a fake Wi-Fi network connection. It is mainly done in public areas with higher chances of free network availability. These places include railway stations, bus stands, libraries, coffee shops, and hotels.

Physical Security

There is much news about mobile snatching incidents in such a big world. Sometimes, in our surroundings, we see someone finding the lost phone, unintentionally left somewhere. It is hazardous if the device falls into the wrong hands because mobile devices typically contain sensitive data, either personal or official. So, the physical security of devices is a serious concern, and it is essential to adapt various security measures for device safety in case of theft or loss.

SIM swapping

SIM swapping, also recognized as 'SIM Hijacking' and 'SIM Swap fraud,' is a fraudulent trick cybercriminals use. They use this trick to convert someone's phone number into a SIM they have. SIM swapping is used for verification, like two-way authentications, to access someone's bank accounts, social media accounts, and other details connected with a phone number.

For verification and access to different accounts, a text message or phone call is received on the selected number to share a code with an authorized user. SIM hijackers receive those calls and messages on their diverted number and can easily use the code to access victims' accounts.

3 Solutions to Secure Mobile Devices - Establish a Safe Mobile Environment

Mobile security depends on the intent of device usage and the environment where it is used. So, the level of security is different for work and personal devices. It may also vary with device types and users. For example, in the corporate sector, the security parameters for employees and customers are different on different devices.

For Work Devices

In the corporate sector, cyber threats are higher because many devices manage business operations. These devices are exposed to different users for different purposes, so, there is a need for an powerful solution that can handle all security issues and enable enterprises to manage security policies themselves to comply with industry standards.

AirDroid Business MDM solution can help you seamlessly apply security policies on enterprise devices. It provides a single dashboard to enable the IT team/admins to manage devices remotely.

Implement MDM solutions to safeguard your company-owned devices

Enforcing strong authentication: MDM offers customization options to manage strong password inputs for enterprise devices. It helps ensure that device locks are unbreakable.(Multi-factor authentication is avaliable)

Regularly updating: Enterprises can seamlessly manage device and app updates of all enrolled devices. MDM also provides options to schedule updates for better productivity. Regular updates help to ensure that devices and apps possess all the latest security features.

Implementing secure network connections: MDM provides security policies and various protocols to ensure high network security. Admins can remotely manage devices' Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HotSpot settings to ensure only secure connections.

Deploying MTD solutions: Continuously scans the devices to check malicious websites, content, or pages and block them.

Real-time Monitoring: Administrators can remotely view the screen of managed devices and locate them in real-time, which helps to learn the device performance better.

For IoT Devices

IoT devices can also be managed using MDM solutions. Most IoT devices are designed for particular purposes. Their security features are related to device usage. However, various features still need to be added, demanding high-level security. Containerization is a feature to secure a company's data on IoT devices.

You can easily secure your IoT devices by implementing strong passwords and network settings. Incorporate strong security and communication protocols like TLS encryption for safe data sharing. Keeping yourself updated with the latest malware and its solutions also helps ensure secure device usage.

Personal Mobile Devices

Enhanced safe browsing: Google has launched an enhanced safe browsing feature to ensure access to only secure websites with mobile phone security. You can enable an enhanced safe browsing feature to prevent malicious web pages, and it also notifies you when a suspicious file is found.

Limiting unauthorized apps and Play Stores: By avoiding or restricting the use of unknown apps on personal devices, you can keep your devices safe from various threats. Use market-trusted Play Stores like Google Play Store or Apple Store to download apps.

Built-in device settings: The latest smart devices have numerous built-in security settings that are enough to secure personal devices, like managing app permissions to access your devices, Find My Device, Google Play Protect, Confinement, and emergency information.

Manage app permissions: Giving unnecessary access to device features like contacts, cameras, photos, and other files can be risky if access is provided to a malicious app. They will fetch the files and misuse them. Giving only necessary files access to authorized apps for safe device usage is essential.

4 How Do You Know If You Have Been Cyber Attacked?

You will observe some irregular behavior and actions you have not made on your device. Here are some common signs that alarm you for mobile phone cyber security:

1. You cannot access your social media accounts and are notified of the wrong password for your accounts. You observe some posts or messages from your account that you have not triggered.

2. Many files are unavailable on the device, and there are some new apps and folders that you have not installed.

3. Emails are sent to your contacts, and you are unaware of them.

4. There is no control over the device, and it operates without your consent.

5 What To Do If Your Mobile is At Risk?

First, disconnect mobile data or Wi-Fi if you observe suspicious activities on your mobile. It will disconnect the device from unauthorized access through the internet. Change the device password and online accounts, especially for social media and banking apps. Then, go to device settings, check the permissions granted to various apps, and restrict those permissions.

Uninstall all the unknown apps that are found malicious and update your device software and apps. Use an anti-virus to scan your device entirely and discover malicious files or content. You can also consult with an IT specialist to overcome this critical issue.

6 Conclusive Note

In the digital world, mobile security has the same worth as physical security in our routine life. We need preventive measures to protect our businesses and smart devices from cyber criminals.

Some common mobile security threats are malware, phishing, malicious apps, network spoofing, and SIM swapping. Keeping distance from these vulnerabilities is crucial to ensure a healthy working environment in enterprises.

Technology has provided MDM solutions as a single medium for all management and security issues businesses face. So, you need to implement MDM solutions compatible with your devices to implement high security and employee device usage restrictions.