How to Protect Your Mobile Device from Cyber Threats

How to Protect Your Mobile Device from Cyber Threats

In this digital age, protecting our cell phones from cyber threats is more important than ever. These little devices can hold a lot of personal information – including our passwords, bank account information, and contact lists. If our cellphones are hacked, we could be in a world of trouble.

Cybercriminals are always coming up with new ways to break into our phones, and it can be hard to keep up with the latest threats. Various types of malware can easily infect a mobile device. That's why taking some simple steps to protect your device is essential.

In this article, we will outline ways your mobile device can become infected, what signs to expect from an attack, and how to secure your mobile device.

How Can My Device Become Infected?

It is easy for your mobile device to become infected with malware because, often, it simply happens with an unsuspecting click of a button. And there are many types of mobile device security malware, each with its unique purpose and method of operation.

Some of the most common include:

Spyware: This type of malware can track a user's location, read their text messages and emails, and even eavesdrop on their phone calls.

Mobile Banking Trojans: This type of malware masquerades as a legitimate application to trick users into installing it. Once installed, it can steal information and money from your bank account.

SMS Malware: This type of malware arrives via a text message and may contain a link that, once opened, installs software to steal personal information. Sometimes, SMS malware can send text messages from the infected device without the victim's knowledge.

Your mobile device can become infected with malware in several ways. One way is if you download an infected app from an unofficial app store. Another way is if you click on a malicious link or open an attachment in a suspicious text message. You can also get infected by connecting to an unsecured wifi network.

What Are Signs My Device Is Infected?

Several signs may indicate your mobile device has been infected with malware. Some are obvious, and others are a bit more subtle.

They include:

Battery drains quickly: Malware can often cause a battery to drain faster than usual. If you notice that your battery drains unusually fast, it's worth scanning for malware.

Slowdown: Another sign of malware is a general slowing down of the device. If applications take longer to load or if the overall performance of the device is sluggish, malware may be to blame.

Unusual behavior: If you experience sudden changes in settings, programs that open and close on their own, a vast amount of pop-ups, an increased amount of data usage, and new and unfamiliar icons appearing on your screen, those are all red flags.

If you notice any of these signs over time, you must immediately take action and run a malware scan on your device. You should then change any passwords that have been stored on your device and update your security apps and software.

How Can I Prevent My Device From Becoming Infected?

You can take simple steps to protect your mobile device from a cyber attack. According to the National Security Agency, some of these include:

  • Do not connect to public wifi
  • Use a strong lock-screen pin or password
  • Update the device software and apps regularly
  • Do not send sensitive information via text message
  • Do not open suspicious links or attachments
  • Do not jailbreak or root your device
  • Power your device off and on weekly

You can also ensure mobile security by regularly checking your phone bill for unusual activity, downloading a mobile security app, reporting your device if it's stolen, and wiping your data off your device before you recycle or sell it.

Educating yourself on the latest cybersecurity trends and the latest social engineering scams will help you become savvier and, therefore, less likely to become a cybersecurity victim.

Next Steps

Mobile security doesn't just affect the user—it could affect their entire work organization. Most employees use their personal mobile devices—such as cell phones—to conduct work-related activities, especially since many are still on a hybrid or remote schedule. In fact, according to a 2022 research study, 93% of U.S. employees who own a smartphone and spend at least a third of their time away from a desk use their cell phones for work every day. That puts your entire organization at risk.

If you want more information about cybersecurity solutions, please contact a member of our information security team. 


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How to Protect Your Mobile Device from Cyber Threatshttps://www.cbiz.com/Portals/0/Images/Hero-HowtoProtectYourMobileDevice.jpg?ver=mITX7qFCNJ9VthtkGFI4RQ%3d%3dhttps://www.cbiz.com/Portals/0/Images/Thumbnail-HowtoProtectYourMobileDevice.jpg?ver=_tc80E9oaDZ38kbSD8Aslg%3d%3dIn this article, we will outline ways your mobile device can become infected, what signs to expect from an attack, and how to secure your mobile device.2022-06-21T17:00:00-05:00

In this article, we will outline ways your mobile device can become infected, what signs to expect from an attack, and how to secure your mobile device.

Risk MitigationTechnology & Life SciencesCyber & Information SecurityYes