Are you safe from mobile malware?
Over the years we have all become used to keeping our own personal details as safe as can be. We safe guard our computers with anti-virus and firewalls and at times we give our details to companies, assuming they have the protocols in place to keep everything safe.
But sometimes that doesn’t happen, think about the latest TalkTalk breach, it shows just how much information someone can gain if they have the knowledge, time and want to cause chaos and disarray.
Sadly, once a breach such as this has happened, it isn’t just a matter of watching your back account for unusual activity, these people pray on the vulnerable and often use tactics such as phoning and emailing people to get them to part with more information. So do remember if you aren’t sure if a call or email is legitimate, then make sure you either hang up and call back on an official number, or access the website using a direct URL and not by clicking any links in emails.
However, while many of us will be up to date on how to protect ourselves as best as possible against these sorts of issues on computer, we may not realise that malware is now hitting our mobile phones and it can be just as devastating as that on our computers, allowing people access to our personal data and authorising unwanted payments.
This infographic from Dell gives some startling insights into the rise of mobile malware.
I have to admit I personally didn’t realise phone malware had become so sophisticated and that they could glean quite so much from us. I will definitely be heading off to check out apps I can used to help secure my device more.
To find out more about mobile security visit Dell’s BYOD solutions.
Have you ever been affected by malware, is your mobile protected yet?
*Written in collaborations with Dell.
Interesting blog, I didn’t realize phone malware had become so sophisticated either, I should maybe think about this malware protection on my phone 🙂
I must admit I need to check how safe my phone is and maybe follow some of your great tips – thank you
I try to only shop from one device to reduce the risks. Its all to easy to use smart phones, ipads etc…. if you stick to one each time you shop it is easier to keep secure.
I have McAfee on my laptop but never thought of using anti virus etc on my phone, I certainly will be looking into covering it now xxx
It’s really scary how much personal data and info we have on our phones and clearly how easy they are to hack!! The whole Talktalk thing has really put that into perspective
Laura x
This is something I need to read up on more and take action with as I’m pretty useless when it comes to protecting my phone, I’m a lot better with other things.
It is scary how much data can be taken from things like your phone, etc.
Laura x
Cyber theft is a scary thought. Cloning of cards is bad enough, but these crims can get anything they want. People are always tapping into your emails. that’s why it’s important to have all the protection possible. Great tips there.
I definitely need to investigate something to stop/locate malware on my phone. thanks for the reminder
No problem at all – I hope you manage to find something for your phone.
This is so scary, I need to be more careful with my phone.
I keep forgetting that phones can be hacked as computers! Thank you for the reminder.
I remember I had issues with a phone many years ago because I’d download music but I’ve not had any problems with my iPhone. I always forget that phones can get malware too.
Oh dear I need to learn to be more careful with my phone I had no idea how harmful phone viruses can be.
I’d not really thought about any of this for my mobile devices. Thank you for the reminder x
Thank you so much for sharing – I have never thought about this on my phone or iPad. Nor for my children who have smart phones. I need to look into this more. Kaz x
Ergh there’s definitely far too much info about me on my phone but I’m not sure how I can change that now!! :/
I need to protect my phone I have had some of the issues with my phone you mentioned I am on my phone now adding a password I didn’t have that before. I am also going to down load the app to help with the melwear. My grandma had that happen to her phone.
I worry about this kind of thing all the time. We might even have more personal information on our phones than even our computers. All those pictures! Very informative post.
I have always been so worried about my computer that I never thought about mobile malware. I am going to add a password protection to my phone.
This is great information. It’s so sad that people do such harm to each other.
It’s so frustrating how much harm people can do through technology. I’m thankful I haven’t experienced anything like this but, unfortunately, I know I could too.
It’s awful isn’t it – I heard of another one today and apparently people already had there bank accounts used to open contracts, it is getting so often it is scary.
When the Internet started to become more of a daily thing, my parents really drove Internet security into me, and so it’s pretty inherent thankfully. I still check the email addresses on any email before clicking links! Stephanie x
My Dad was the same with me and I’ve never had too much of an issue with viruses at least. I remember my Dad completely losing a computer to them (not his fault, long story) and that always stuck with me as well. x
I must admit phone malware has never been on my radar but I think its time I looked into it too. Thanks for sharing
I keep no personal information on my phone through fear of being hacked, Paypal is as close as I go x
It’s so scary to think that there are so many Internet predators out there. It’s so important to have protection.
This is worrying I will make sure my phones secure thanks for the post x
My mobile isn’t protected and I really should look into it – thanks for a really informative post.
Very informative. I did have mobile security on my old phone, but I completely forgot to add it to my new phone! Thanks for the reminder, I’m downloading it now! 🙂
This is terrifying. I will be looking into securing my phone better from now on.
I had never really thought about this before, will be making sure my phone is safe from now on though thank you for your post x