Mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. But as more people turn to mobile devices for personal and business use, attackers also turn to mobile as a target.
We use our smartphones for more and more things – some even use them for phone calls. In any case, these devices are full of sensitive information, from our files to the username and password for our online bank account. And if we use them for work, they also carry business-critical files that might be even more inconvenient to lose.
Usual dangers
If you want to use an Android device and access the internet, you need to know that this is not safe. There are many dangers and risks that you face using this kind of device and accessing data on the web, so read this article for ways in which you can maintain your safety.
Where is the problem?
The problem with Android is that the operating system is open-source, which means that anyone can modify it. This can lead to “security loopholes” – places where an attacker might get in if they are clever enough.
In mobile phones, Android has the same share as Windows has in PCs, and the effect is similar: devices running Google’s OS are a favorite target for attackers simply because of their number. But there is a similar defense, so you need to keep your OS and apps up to date, especially if you are also using your phone in a business environment where the risk of a break-in is much higher.
In terms of usage, it is essential to set up some protection on the mobile against unauthorized users – fingerprinting, for example, offers perfect security, but PIN-code locking is the minimum – the pattern is too easy to crack after a bit of observation. If you leave your device, you can use the Device Finder app offered by Google (search for it in the Google Play Store), which can find out where your phone is and lock or wipe it remotely.
If you connect to public Wi-Fi networks a lot, it’s good to be aware that unprotected Wi-Fi is the perfect place for hackers to steal your data. The best thing to do in this case is to use a VPN application, of which you’ll find a good number in the app store: CyberGhost VPN or Avira Phantom VPN even offer automatic protection by switching to a VPN connection as soon as it detects an unencrypted WLAN.