Cybercrime: An Explosive Threat To Mobile Security(1)

Cybercrime: An Explosive Threat to Mobile Security

In in this digital world; using a smart phone is just like carrying the world with you. Smartphones and tablets have infiltrated our work and play, banking and shopping. But as they continue to weave their way into every piece of our daily lives, they also need to be protected from cybercrime and security threats.

High-Risk Apps

A Major Challenge for Cybercriminals High-Risk Applications Found on 1 in 36 Mobile Devices What is surprising is that out of 36 mobile devices (phones and tablets), one device has a high-risk app.

What Are High-Risk Apps?

A high-risk app reflects a high security risk to its users. These can include malicious software such as spyware and adware — apps designed to steal your personal information—oor what might seem like harmless apps that misuse your data. Apps sometimes come out with included high-risk features in app stores, or they can be downloaded from third-party sources, along with some phishing attacks.

The Rise of Mobile Cybercrime Mobile devices have a growing market and are increasingly being the target of these organizations, as the crimes are becoming more sophisticated. Compared to conventional PCs, mobile devices have significantly less security. The presence of high-risk apps is a significant reason for this. Cybercriminals increasingly target smartphones and tablets as people use their mobility devices more.

Notorious High-Risk Apps

Some other insecure or malicious Mobile Applications:

**CamScanner**: This used to be an app for scanning receipts, but the more recent version has been reportedly downloaded as having dodgy files to a user’s device.
**Clean Master**: This app is advertised as a cleaning and optimization tool.
**QuickPic Gallery**: A popular photo gallery app found sending data to distant servers without user consent.4. **SuperVPN Free VPN Client**: This free VPN service was vulnerable to user traffic interception and data mining.5. **ES File Explorer**: This was the most popular file manager at one time, but it was pulled from the Play Store for leaking too much information.

Impacts of High-Risk Applications

For People: High-risk applications could lead to identity theft, financial loss, or invasion of privacy.For Organizations**: A security threat comes from the practice of Bring Your Device (BYOD), which is very common. In this case, the employee brings his device to the workplace, creating a potentially critical exposure.Read our other posts.

Protecting Yourself from Cybercrime

**Download Apps Only from Trustworthy Sources**: Download apps only from the official app stores for your device type: Google Play for Android, and Apple App Store for iOS.
**Check App Permissions**: Before installing, check the permissions you allow it to access. Some apps request data and functions that are too unnecessary.
**Keep Software Updated**: Regularly update your device’s operating system and other software since updates often include security patches.
**Install Security Software**: Use reputable security software to scan and remove high-risk apps.
**Learn**: Stay informed about cybersecurity threats and best practices. Remember, the first line of defense against cybercrime is awareness.
**Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)**: Make sure to secure all accounts with a strong, unique password, and wherever applicable, enable two-factor authentication.
**Never Access Sensitive Accounts over Public Wi-Fi**: Public Wi-Fi could be extremely insecure. Use the protection of a VPN when completing important transactions.

Conclusion

High-risk apps pose a significant threat to an individual’s availability and organizational security. Milestones can be achieved by reducing the risks of being a victim of cybercrime through proactive measures like downloading applications from trustworthy sources, updating software regularly, and establishing solid passwords.Read our other posts.

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