Malicious apps and websites: Mobile malware (malicious applications and corrupt software) can accomplish the same objectives of stealing and decrypting data that malware on a traditional computer can accomplish. Diversion of traffic when viewing a particular website also simplifies the job of mobile phone hackers. ‘Ad and click’ scams performed by trojans are also a common type of malware. 

  2. Phishing: Phishing is one of the most frequently used ways of attacking software, be it on computers or mobile phones. Most cyberattacks begin with a phishing email containing a link or an attachment containing malware. When working on a smaller screen, one is more likely to pass a phishing email as a legitimate one. Additionally, there are more ways of delivering a mail or a message containing a phishing link on a mobile phone- such as SMS, email, and social media platforms. Emails account for just 15% of mobile phishing attacks, placing them behind gaming, social media, and messaging apps.   3. Data Leakage: Mobile phones are the most susceptible to data leakage because users tend to give app permissions without checking their legitimacy and security. These apps can send any kind of data to a remote server. Once the permission has been granted, it isn’t easy to close the opening created for malware to enter the phone’s software.   4. Mobile Ransomware: This kind of security attack encrypts files on a mobile device, requiring a ransom payment for the decryption key to regain access to the encrypted data. The increased use of mobile phones for business has made mobile ransomware a common type of cyberattack.   5. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM Attacks): This kind of attack involves a hacker intercepting network communications to pass on sensitive information or modify the transmitted data. Mobile devices are especially vulnerable to such attacks, while they may be possible on different systems as well. SMS messages can be easily intercepted, and mobile applications may use unencrypted HTTP to transfer potentially sensitive information.   MitM attacks mostly require an employee to be connected to a suspicious or  compromised network, such as cellular networks or public Wi-Fi. Organizations don’t always have a technique limiting the access to such networks, and if a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is not used, it leaves the company data unsecure and vulnerable. 6. Network spoofing: This is another example of user vulnerability. Hackers set up fake access points that resemble Wi-Fi networks in high-traffic public locations such as restaurants, coffee shops etc. Users may be prompted to sign-in with an account to access the free Wi-Fi and typically use an email address and password they have used elsewhere. The hackers then access secure information from the mobile phone, including mail and other applications.   7. Broken Cryptography: Broken cryptography happens when app developers use improper encryption algorithms with common susceptibility in the desire to develop the app faster. Broken cryptography also occurs when app developers use strong encryption but still leave minute openings that hackers can pick on and attack mobile security.   8. Mobile “Malvertising”: Such ads distribute malware to a device. An ad can cause a “pre-click” without the user clicking on it. Hackers accomplish this by embedding malware in the main scripts of the pages that feature the ads. Malicious ads can appear even on legitimate websites, catching users off-guard and significantly increasing the chance of a cyberattack.   The landscape of mobile security threats is increasing, along with the increase in how hackers can attack. There are people at work trying to override the most robust security features in a device to get access to data on that device. Businesses require mobile enterprise security, especially with the shift towards the “work-from-mobile” culture prevalent now in many organizations. Corporate data is also vulnerable due to mobile cyberattacks, along with personal user data. A fool-proof mobile threat defense should be implemented to detect and respond to this wide variety of cyberattacks. Some of these are:   – Proper look at app security – Scalability and flexibility – Privacy protection – Selective storage of data on mobiles – Selective downloading of applications   About SNS Secure Network Solutions India (SNS) provides a quantifiable, risk-based approach to building corporate cybersecurity based on globally recognized frameworks and standards. We have been protecting businesses for the last 20 years! Write to us at [email protected]