It's not surprising that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of mobile malware attacks, but SecurityCoverage claims that this year we'll see an unprecedented amount. Mobile users face the same risks on their portable devices as they do on their desktops despite the false sense of security some may feel.
"Mobile users often don't realize they're carrying a mini computer in their hand. That means they face the same threats seen on desktop computers, plus the very real risk of loss or theft," said SecurityCoverage President and CEO Robert O'Dell.
Since last year, there has been over twice the amount of mobile malware attack discoveries and an estimated 900,000 to happen by mid-year. A lot of these attacks have to do with the willingness of users to post personal information on social networking sites. In fact, within the first months of 2013, 250,000 Twitter accounts were breached.
What's the Big Deal?
You're probably thinking that telling the public you're a fan of Game of Thrones isn't a big deal. However, attackers use those little facts you post on accounts like Facebook, Twitter, and LivingSocial to create more personalized phishing emails. Cyber invaders sift through the data you provide on social sites to steal personal information; meaning anything from your passwords to email to your finances and contacts.
If you're one of the few who still doesn't own a smart device, you're not without risk either. Desktop security continues to be a problem with roughly 16,000 attacks occurring per day, the majority of which are Trojans. It's important thing to keep in mind that all devices are at risk for cyber attacks.
What Do You Do Now?
All hope is not lost in face of these digital threats. SecurityCoverage gives useful advice that both mobile and desktop users should heed. A good start to protect yourself against cyber threats and burglary is to combine anti-virus and malware protection with anti-theft features like the ability to wipe or lock a stolen device. File protection is also crucial, so using secure cloud tech and applications is a good way to keep information protected. Finally, it's essential to create complicated, unique passwords to help prevent cyber attacks. Sophos offered tips to users in its S.M.A.R.T. approach to password creation and protection from online attackers.
With the constant threat of cyber attacks and alarming increase in mobile malware discoveries, it's high time for users to realize the importance of preparing themselves for the risk of digital attacks.
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