Top 5 Mobile Cybersecurity Threats You Need to Know About
Are you aware of the main mobile cybersecurity threats threatening your business? Read on to find out what they are and how to fix them.
Thora Fitzpatrick
16 December, 2021
Are you aware of the main mobile cybersecurity threats threatening your business? Read on to find out what they are and how to fix them.
Most employees’ mobile devices now interact with corporate data - 60% in fact - and that’s a number that is bound to continue increasing. Remote working is an established practice, and mobile phones have become an essential convenience for staff.
This convenience comes at a price however, because mobile devices bring with them an unprecedented level of cyber threats.
In this post we’ll outline some of the chief mobile cybersecurity threats you are likely to encounter, as well as how best to prevent them.
Solution: Manufacturers provide regular updates for their OS which contain not only performance improvements, but security patches to address new vulnerabilities. Make sure your mobile users know to upgrade promptly to the latest operating system.
Solution: Screen lock is a crucial mobile security feature that is often overlooked. If a phone is lost or stolen it is relatively easy to access sensitive information and apps. Ensuring users create robust password-protected lock screen configurations can mitigate these risks.
Solution: To avoid data leaks, advise users to only access apps they absolutely need and make them wary of apps that ask for too much info.
Solution: Use a VPN, only download apps from official sites, use vulnerability scanning, and encrypt data.
Solution: Make sure users avoid clicking unfamiliar links and only download apps from trusted sites. Install anti-virus software and use browsers that have additional security features.
In this post we’ll outline some of the chief mobile cybersecurity threats you are likely to encounter, as well as how best to prevent them.
1. Out of date operating systems
Out-of-date operating system software puts data at risk and can compromise corporate security.Solution: Manufacturers provide regular updates for their OS which contain not only performance improvements, but security patches to address new vulnerabilities. Make sure your mobile users know to upgrade promptly to the latest operating system.
2. Bad password habits
Poor password habits can help hackers gain access to unauthorised or sensitive data.Solution: Screen lock is a crucial mobile security feature that is often overlooked. If a phone is lost or stolen it is relatively easy to access sensitive information and apps. Ensuring users create robust password-protected lock screen configurations can mitigate these risks.
3. Data leaks
If an app, or app developer has not properly protected a user’s data, this can make that data available to everyone using the same network as the mobile device.Solution: To avoid data leaks, advise users to only access apps they absolutely need and make them wary of apps that ask for too much info.
4. Malicious malware
The number of new malware variants on mobile devices has grown by 54%. Suspicious apps can supply malware to mobile devices, steal data, and change configurations - crippling devices and making them unusable.Solution: Use a VPN, only download apps from official sites, use vulnerability scanning, and encrypt data.
5. Phishing
Despite what’s commonly believed, phishing attacks are not primarily email-driven, in fact, 85% of these kinds of attacks happen outside of email. No matter how they happen, however, mobile’s restricted interface makes it easier for people to click on dangerous links.Solution: Make sure users avoid clicking unfamiliar links and only download apps from trusted sites. Install anti-virus software and use browsers that have additional security features.
Protect Yourself From Cyber Criminals
Mobile is the new frontier for cyber criminals, and cyber attacks on mobile devices are getting more and more sophisticated. But it’s not just the level of sophistication that’s causing issues.In most cases, the weakest link is human error - rather than technology.
Prepare your employees for the next-gen malicious activities on mobile with cybersecurity training. Firebrand’s fast-track courses will give your staff the skills to protect your sensitive data and your reputation.
Prepare your employees for the next-gen malicious activities on mobile with cybersecurity training. Firebrand’s fast-track courses will give your staff the skills to protect your sensitive data and your reputation.