Smartphone Cybersecurity – 5 Ways Malware Can Enter Your Mobile Device

What is the most sought after and used electronic device in the world today? That must be the smartphone. Chances are, you are reading this article on a smartphone as well. That being said, how aware are you of smartphone cybersecurity? The usage of portable mobile phones has skyrocketed in the last couple of decades. And it’s not difficult to guess that the threats regarding the security of these devices have increased too. More and more spywares and harmful malwares are built every day to steal data from your smartphone and possibly hold you hostage and rob you in one way or another. Here, let’s look at the 5 most common ways through which malware can get entry into your smartphone.  

1. Through A Malicious Application

The most common way for any malware to get an entry into a mobile device is through a malicious software. Malware can come right from the source that a user uses to install an app to their mobile. So, if you think installing an app from the authorized play store or app store is safe then you have already compromised your smartphone cybersecurity. In the past, Google has discovered malicious apps which were available in their play store and later removed them and asked users to remove these apps from their devices as well. 

In addition, the attacks on smartphones are getting more sophisticated everyday. Different malwares and spywares are surfacing with more harmful features. Now malwares that can read and send text messages,  intercept notifications and steal secret information like credit card data are found frequently.

2. Through Phishing Links

Phishing links are behind most of the cyber attacks

Though one of the oldest methods, phishing is still the most widely used method of cybercrimes. In fact, till this day more than ⅓ of data breaches happen due to phishing. Definitely, your smartphone cybersecurity can be compromised via phishing links. These links can easily be sent over an email, messaging apps or text messages. And all they require is a single click to infect your mobile phone with malware.

3. Due to Browser Vulnerabilities 

The day internet browsers were introduced into mobile phones, a new era began. Users had an experience like never before and the whole smartphone scenario started to emerge. However, every coin has an opposite side to it, alongside this blessing, browsers have also become a mention worthy threat to smartphone cybersecurity. Because browser engine vulnerabilities are found regularly. App developers around the world are always on their toes to fix these problems and release a security patch. 

But, there lies a window between the discovery of a browser weakness and an update released for it which could be the perfect chance for malware to enter your mobile device. 

4. Connecting to Unknown Wi-Fi 

Who doesn’t like free Wi-Fi? Restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and free wi-fi connections are available in almost every busy public place. Loads and loads of PCs, as well as smartphones, are connected regularly to an open, public wi-fi. This could bring a potential cyber threat. Because wi-fi networks are built to send and receive data. Anyone connected in the same network can try to find a backdoor to access the data between your phone and server and if successful they can steal data or put malware inside your device. There are instances where cybercriminals set up their own wireless networks in a public place and just like we catch fish with baits, they draw a user into their trap with this wi-fi network! 

5. Exploiting Remote Access Tools

RATs or Remote Access Tools are not always malware. In fact, it has usage on legitimate,  noble causes too. Gaining complete access over a user’s device remotely is a feature on which mobile devices were built in the first place. However, this feature is often misused by cybercriminals and it can be a potential way through which harmful malware or spyware is inserted into your device.  

These are our top picks of how malware can enter your mobile device. Let us know of any queries in the comment section. For any cybersecurity related information or query visit www.reveantivirus.com