Almost everyone is aware of cybercrimes and internet threats to desktop devices. Hackers who are consistently evolving even faster than viruses these days are launching mobile versions of those desktop threats. Year by year, the number of people falling prey to cybercrimes is increasing.
Let’s first check out a few types of threats that mobile devices face so that we can figure out how to deal with them:
Scareware
These are pop up notifications that you may get upon visiting a suspicious web page. They try to scare you by the fact that your phone just got infected by malware. A link will be mentioned on which they ask you to click, claiming that it will get rid of the virus. But be careful as the link itself is the virus.
Ransomware
They function by barring you from access to your data stored on your phone. The data might be anything, say, for example, call history, gallery, messages, etc. This happens as soon as your phone gets infected by the ransomware. You are required to pay a ransom to get back your data. You may still ever get it back even after you pay them the money or buy what they want you to.
Spyware
These are malware that gets installed while you visit a website, without getting into your notice. They then track your device use and spy on your personal data like passwords and accounts. The spyware sends the information to the cybercriminal who created them.
Riskware
The new Yoga and fitness app you download might just be one of those malicious apps. They ask for permission to access your device data first. And then while you are using it, it steals all of your personal information and sells it. Cybercriminals may use it to steal your identity.
Phishing And Smishing
At times, we get an email that asks for confirmation or activation of an account of ours. Some malware sends links attached to emails in the name of business platforms. They ask you to put your information in the link to activate your account. They then use the information to steal your identity. It’s called Phishing. When this happens by means of an SMS rather than an email, it is called Smishing.
Free Wi-Fi!
Have you managed to find free Wi-Fi? To complete all your back-ups and download games and movies, is that your plan? Be careful as these wireless internet connections are not secured, so hackers tend to come in between. They might gain access to all that you do while using the Wi-Fi.
How to prevent yourself from falling prey to these?
Use security software
Like you use an Antivirus for your PC. Some of these also come with password managers to further protect your personal accounts from internet threats.
Consider creating better passwords
Stop using ‘1234’ or your husband’s name in your password. They can be easily guessed. Use stronger passwords, that include at least eight letters, both upper and lower case. They should contain numbers and special characters.
Check your Bank account balance every now and then:
While this can be considered to be a general security measure that one should take, hackers tend to target bank accounts at most times.
Keep your apps and software updated at all times:
This is because the latest updates tend to provide more security than the previous versions of the app or software.
Avoid downloading unknown apps or clicking on suspicious links.
Download your applications only from iTunes or Google Play Store.
Keep certain features off when not required
For instance, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Also, avoid entering any personal information on any page while using Wi-Fi from a new source.
