MOBILE VULNERABILITY – MORE THAN JUST THE PHONE
Yes, it is true. A mobile device can get malware and pose a risk to your business.
Because a mobile device is more convenient, less expensive, and more versatile, it becomes a major business productivity tool. Mobile phones and tablets are used beyond calls, texts, or internet research. Your employees use it for company emails, access business applications, and store business information.
Furthermore, businesses are using their mobile devices as a point of sales device to conducting sales, receiving payments, connecting to merchant services, even the banks directly.
In result, the phone and tablet store a vast amount of sensitive information that becomes a gold-mine to the hackers.
These are a few facts that demonstrate the existence of mobile devices vulnerabilities are real: “Mac viruses, malware, and security flaws” and “Infected Android apps.”
How do mobile devices get Malware?
- Malicious app downloads from the app store
Downloads from an official app store are usually safe, “pirated” app or come from a less legitimate source often contains malware.
An official app can be contaminated due to the developers use pirated development tools. Once the tools are compromised, it introduces malicious codes that are stealing sensitive data or damaging the mobile device. - Unpatched Operating System in Mobile devices.
Hackers often exploit the discovered vulnerabilities of an Operating System. - Open the link or attachment in a harmful phishing Email.
- Using an open public Wi-Fi or going to an unsecured website.
- Become a victim of a phishing text message or voicemail.
How to protect your mobile devices?
- Use strong authentication, such as face or fingerprint recognition, to protect your devices.
- In the event of a lost or stolen mobile device, report, wipe and lock the device to prevent unauthorized access.
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Do not jailbreak your device.
Jailbreaking your device removes build-in security and leaves it more vulnerable to attacks. -
Use a VPN in a public Wi-Fi network.
VPN is an encrypted transmission; it is to protect your privacy and business information while you are on-line. -
Encrypt sensitive information on the mobile device.
To protect it from malware or unauthorized access. -
Update software and hardware.
To address potential vulnerabilities. -
Scan for vulnerability.
To identify and remove potentially harmful software.
Mobile devices and mobile users are an integral part of today’s Business practices. It is important to establish a use policy and manage the usage. There are many effective Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools are helping Business to manage and secure their Mobile Device Users.
