The comfort smartphones provide is undeniable, but so are the risks they create. Unlike desktop computers, smartphones travel wherever we go. Moreover, they store private messages, phone numbers, pictures, etc. According to statistics, in 2018, 1 in 36 smartphones was infected by a high-risk application.
Below you will find the most efficient contemporary smartphone hacking techniques. Knowing the possible threats will help you protect your device from third parties. You will also find brief protection tips.
Malware
Malware is as old as computer systems. However, new types of malware emerge monthly. Regarding smartphones, hackers work tirelessly to develop new smartphone hacking techniques.
The two most popular smartphone malware are Trojans and Keyloggers. Trojans are often disguised as something else, for example, a mobile game or healthcare app. In reality, they monitor your activities and extract valuable data, such as private messages and emails.
Keyloggers monitor your keystrokes. This software waits until you attempt to log in to a specific password-protected service. Keyloggers mark the password and pass it on to the attacker.
The first line of defense is safe online habits. Be mindful of the apps you download. Always read user reviews before downloading, and avoid shady apps with few reviews or a low user score. Keep in mind that even though the Apple Store is considered safer than Google Play, both have stored malicious apps.
A password manager will protect your online accounts if a keylogger infects your device. Fully-developed password managers offer an autofill feature that will automatically input the password instead of you typing it manually. No typing – no data for the keylogger.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks often combine social engineering with advanced technology. Moreover, smartphones are particularly susceptible to some forms of Phishing attacks. Cybercriminals use Phishing to infect user devices with malware for further exploitation.
Phishing is frequently carried out via emails with infectious links inside. You can inspect a link on a desktop computer and see the full address. It will be extraordinarily long, and an email might have several grammatical errors if it’s a Phishing scam. However, inspecting a link is complicated due to the smartphone screen’s limited size.
Simultaneously, cyber criminals exploit SMS to send fraudulent messages. During the Covid-19 crisis, hackers sent tons of fraudulent SMS messages exploiting healthcare issues. People are more likely to click on a link if it relates to their health.
It would be best if you were extremely mindful of what you click in an email or SMS. Don’t haste into action if there’s a sense of urgency. Carefully inspect the content for grammatical errors, and verify the sender’s address. Remember, you can also call a specific service to confirm whether they sent the message.
It’s highly advisable to use a smartphone AntiVirus. When choosing an AntiVirus software, double-check whether it provides real-time and email protection. Even if you click on an infectious link, an AntiVirus will alert you of a malicious redirect and deny access. Moreover, AntiVirus will scan your smartphone and locate viruses that are already there.
Smartphone Hacking: Same but Different
You most likely have heard of Phishing and malware. However, it’s essential to understand that the attacks differ on smartphones than on desktop computers or laptops. Smartphones run on a different OS and connect to the Internet differently, which opens up new exploit opportunities. Remember to keep up with the latest smartphone hacking news if you use them regularly, as most of us do.