5 Things You Can Do to Combat the 500% Rise in Mobile Malware

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Mobile malware is a scary form of cyber-attack wrecking havoc in organizations across the world. In fact, research indicates that mobile malware attacks have skyrocketed by 500% in the last few years. 

To defend against mobile malware attacks, you’ll need a bespoke strategy. Learn how to create one and better protect your organization below. 

What is Mobile Malware? 

Mobile malware is a form of malicious software that specifically targets mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. These sneaky pieces of code are used by hackers for a range of unscrupulous activities, including spying on users, stealing data from devices, committing fraud and hijacking networks the devices connect to, but to name a few. 

Why Are Mobile Malware Attacks Increasing Each Year? 

There are several reasons for the increase in mobile malware attacks. Firstly, we must remember that smartphones have really come into their own over the last two decades. Nearly everyone in the Western world has a mobile device, and these devices are packed full of sensitive information like personally identifiable data, healthcare information and financial details. 

All of these factors make mobile devices extremely appealing to hackers, who are keen to get their hands on the sensitive data our phones store. Moreover, mobile devices tend to have less robust security measures in place than laptops and desktop computers. In essence, this makes them easier to hack than enterprise infrastructure.

The Anatomy of A Mobile Malware Attack

You’re probably wondering how hackers conduct mobile malware attacks. Well, just as there are numerous forms of malware, there are also numerous ways a hacker can exploit your smartphone or tablet. Some of the most prevalent threats are:  

  • Fraudulent malicious applications: One of the most common ways by which hackers break into mobile phones is through the creation of malicious applications that masquerade on popular app stores as legitimate, well-known ones. It can be really tricky to spot a malicious app while looking to download something new. Hackers will imitiate well-known apps with high-levels of accuracy, often using company logos and descriptions to lure users into pressing download. Of course, when the user does download the app, they accidentally enable malware to crawl through their device and data. While popular app stores have tried to crackdown on this threat, it remains prevalent. We recommend looking for typos and app reviews to assess whether an app appears legitimate or not. 

  • Social engineering: SMS-ishing and instant messaging social engineering attacks are another favorite amongst hackers targeting smartphone users. In these attacks, a cybercriminal will send their victim a message or text pretending to be a trusted brand, government body or individual. The message will typically include a link to a phony application or webpage, which encourages the user to download a program onto their device or share sensitive information. 

  • Man in the middle attacks: Hackers may try to break into mobile phones by hijacking public WiFi networks that people often connect to, such as ones found in coffee shops or airports. If they successfully compromise such a network, the hacker can spy on all communications that occur between devices connected to it, and also exploit the devices connected to it by launching malware - and the victim will be none the wiser.   

How Do I Know If My Phone Has Been Impacted By Mobile Malware? 

One of the scariest things about mobile malware is how hard it is to spot until it is too late. It’s in a hacker’s best interest to stay stealthy and unnoticed. Victims may not realize their phone is compromised until they receive a notification from their bank asking about unusual login attempts, or their corporate network is taken down by a ransomware attack. 

Both personally and professionally, mobile malware can have huge repercussions, with your employees’ devices effectively acting as trojan horses that allow hackers into your network.

As we all know, data breaches and cyber-attacks are bad for business. The compliance landscape is increasingly rigorous and citizens are more aware of their data protection rights than ever before. Companies simply can’t afford to suffer a successful mobile malware attack.

Protecting You and Your Company From Mobile Malware 

With so much at stake, putting the right tools and awareness policies is crucial to beating the mobile malware threat. Here’s how to protect your company: 

  • Put in place a security awareness and education initiative that educates users on social engineering attacks, malicious applications and the security risks of public WiFi networks.

  • If your employees use corporate devices, deploy mobile device management (MDM) on these tools to heighten security.  

  • Combine MDM with a solid mobile device usage policy that governs how employees should use their corporate mobile devices. For instances of bring your own device (BYOD), we recommend sharing a similar policy. 

  • Implement multi-factor authentication for corporate applications and devices. 

  • Automate the application and hardware device update process to reduce the potential for hackers to take advantage of security holes and bugs. 

We’ll Help You Defeat The Mobile Malware Threat With The Best Security Solutions! 

Do you require assistance in determining the best course of action for your cybersecurity requirements? We can help. If you currently have an IT team, or are starting from scratch, we can give you insight into our industry knowledge so you can create future-proof cybersecurity solutions.