8 Threats to Security of Mobile Phones and Ways to Prevent Them

Security Blogs | 6 min read

(Alt text: 8 threats to security of mobile phones and ways to prevent them)

Mobile phones are one of mankind's greatest inventions. Around 6.6 billion people use mobile phones worldwide. Their use in personal as well as professional life has increased dramatically. And so have the threats to the security of mobile phones increased. According to Zimperium’s Global Mobile Threat Report, in 2021, security threats impacted over 10 million mobile phones in 214 countries. In this blog post, we will look at 8 common threats to the security of mobile phones and how you can prevent them.

Table of contents

• Threats to the security of your mobile phones

1. Weak passwords

2. Malware

3. Phishing

4. Insecure public/open Wi-Fi

5. Drive-by downloads

6. Browser exploits

7. Rooting or jailbreaking

8. Operating system exploits

• Tips to prevent mobile security threats

Threats to the security of your mobile phones

A mobile security threat is a condition or a means that attackers exploit to gain unauthorized access to your phone, steal sensitive data or perform other malicious actions in the phone. The threats affect individuals as well as companies and hence, it is important to understand them.

(Image caption: Mobile security threats)

(Alt text: Mobile security threats)

1. Weak passwords

Setting up weak or common passwords for your phone, applications, accounts, etc., is very risky. Such passwords are leaked on the dark web, and attackers buy those passwords to gain access to thousands of accounts. Over 50% of people use their name or birthdate as passwords, which attackers can easily guess. Attackers can use brute force to unlock your weak passwords and gain unauthorized access to your phone and apps.

2. Malware

Malware is a specific software or app that performs malicious actions on your phone. Attackers use malware to read text messages and emails, track your phone’s location, secretly listen to nearby conversations, take pictures, steal or encrypt data, lock the phone, etc. For example, an attacker may propel you to download an app for viewing a video. But that app is actually malware. The attacker can use the malware to exploit security vulnerabilities in the phone, disclose data, and commit identity theft or financial fraud. Malware apps request many permissions that enable them to control other apps.

A few types of malware are:

1. Spyware - Spyware spies on your private activities without your knowledge or approval. It collects data such as contacts, call history, text messages, location, browser history, emails, photos, etc. Most apps that monitor the activities of your loved ones are spyware.

2. Ransomware - Attackers use ransomware to encrypt all data on a mobile phone or lock the phone. Attackers then demand a ransom payment for the decryption key to restore access to the encrypted data or unlock the phone.

3. Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common threats to mobile phone security. In phishing, attackers use emails, text messages, voicemails, and even calls to fool you into giving up a password, confirming a transaction, or clicking on a link to download malware. The malware can compromise your phone and cause a data breach.

4. Insecure public/open Wi-Fi

Public or open Wi-Fi is generally insecure. Attackers use them to spy on your online activities, steal data, install malware, etc. They may create a fake Wi-Fi hotspot to trick you into connecting to it and steal your sensitive data. For example, a Wi-Fi network could direct you to a page that looks like your bank’s website, instead of going to the actual website. When you try to log in, the attacker can steal your password. Attackers may exploit security vulnerabilities in operating systems & apps to intercept the data transmitted across insecure Wi-Fi. Many applications and web pages lack security measures and send unencrypted data across Wi-Fi. Attackers can intercept that data traveling through the air between the phone and the Wi-Fi access point, an act called Wi-Fi sniffing.

5. Drive-by downloads

Drive-by downloads are malicious files installed on your mobile phone without your consent. The files could be spyware, ransomware, or bots that use your phone for malicious tasks. A drive-by download can automatically install malicious files on your phone when you visit a website or open an email.

6. Browser exploits

Browser exploits take advantage of security vulnerabilities in your phone’s web browsers and software that works with the browser, such as PDF readers, image viewers, etc. When you visit an unsafe web page, it can trigger a browser exploit that performs actions such as installing malware on your phone.

7. Rooting or jailbreaking

Attackers exploit security vulnerabilities in the mobile OS to gain administrator access to phones. With administrator access, they can access more data and cause more damage than with the limited permissions available by default. This threat for the Android OS is called rooting, and for the iOS, it’s called jailbreaking. Sometimes, you may root or jailbreak your phone to install apps from untrusted app stores or delete unwanted apps. It weakens the operating system’s security controls. Attackers can easily steal data through third-party apps on such phones. You may install anti-malware software on rooted phones, but even that software may suffer malware manipulation.

8. Operating system exploits

Mobile operating systems that don’t have up-to-date security patches contain security vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit those vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data on the phone.

Tips to prevent mobile security threats

Here are a few tips you must follow to protect your mobile phones from security threats:

1. Use strong & unique passwords for every account. Reset your passwords every 2 to 3 months.

2. Don’t install apps that promise free access to premium content, aren’t listed in common app stores, or don’t have a history of reviews.

3. Discard phones that don’t receive security updates.

4. Change your phone's security settings to restrict the type of data apps can collect. Avoid downloading apps that request unnecessary permissions. Give only limited permissions to apps that are just enough for them to function properly.

5. To avoid phishing scams, verify texts, emails, calls, and who is contacting you for your personal information. For example, tell callers claiming to be from your bank that you’ll call back using the bank’s official number. Create email filters to block phishing messages with suspicious links or attachments.

6. Only connect to Wi-Fi that you know and trust.

7. Install a firewall on your phone to monitor online activities.

8. Update your mobile OS and apps regularly.

9. Companies should create policies for employees on what they can and cannot install on their mobile phones used for work.

Tips to prevent mobile security threats

Most companies use mobile apps to connect with customers & clients. Attackers can exploit security vulnerabilities in those apps to steal sensitive data and harm businesses, customers, and clients. Our security product, Bugsmirror Defender, is a powerful solution for this problem by providing real-time detection and prevention of over 45 types of security risks, including root detection, app repackaging, data theft, and insecure communication. This advanced app-shielding solution seamlessly integrates with any mobile application, ensuring continuous monitoring and robust protection. Additionally, companies should conduct regular security audits to avoid financial and reputational losses. Bugsmirror offers research-based security audit services and the implementation of advanced security concepts to further safeguard your apps. Get in touch with us to secure your mobile apps and increase your profits!

- Vivek Tanwani