Did you know that not only can your computer get infected by spyware, malware, and ransomware, but so can your mobile devices such as your iPhone, or Android powered phone and tablet.  In fact, based on a report by Alcatel-Lucent's Motive Security Lab, over 16 million mobile devices have been infected with Malware.  The same report also notes that in 2014 there was a 20 percent uptick in mobile device infections over the previous year.

Although a large majority of infectious software is found in the Android ecosystem, iOS, Blackberry, and Windows Phones are all susceptible to many forms of malware still.  One of the main reasons the above report found for the reason there have been so many mobile device infections is because of a lack of knowledge on the part of the consumer, and a sense that the device manufacturer or service provider protected customers devices.  In reality though, this is simply not the case.  You are responsible for your devices security, and the service provider or device manufacturer often do not protect your device from malicious software.

Researchers also expect the problem to get much worse, before it gets better.  Many device manufacturers are simply overwhelmed by the amount of app submissions brought to each app store on any given day.  This has caused the major ecosystem managers like Google, and Apple to have a more lax application submission stance.  This makes it easy developers to submit applications that may not be completely secure, and because more applications are relying on a web-based component to work with, it makes it easier for hackers to deploy malicious software which can harm your mobile device.

Here Are Some Ways To Keep Your Mobile Devices Secure

  • Make Sure your device stays up to date.  Keep an eye out for updates to your Android and iOS mobile devices, they often are released in response to security vulnerabilities, or infected applications you may have installed.
  • Never Jailbreak or Root your device.  Devices that run on modified versions of their OS are often vulnerable to infections, and back doors that can lead to theft or loss of personal data from your device.  Always use your device with the appropriate manufacturer software, or you may be risking the safety of your data.
  • Install and use an Anti-Virus application.  Antivirus software is readily available on iOS, and Android devices.  It's a good idea to use some form of Virus Protection software on your mobile device, just like you would use on your computer.
  • Use Strong Passwords on your Device.  According to a study, over 28% of mobile device users do not use any password or PIN at all to access their phone.  Without a password or secure way to access your phone, hackers and other bad actors can easily manipulate and steal your data, or infect your device.
  • Keep your Device Encrypted.  Both Android and iOS have ways to encrypt your device.  Make sure that you login to your mobile device account to ensure that you are encrypting your device in case it is stolen and broken into.

Malware attacks are expected to rise year over year for the foreseeable future on mobile devices.  Mobile security researchers expect attacks on cloud architectures to increase, adware to increase on mobile devices, and BotNet traffic to continue to target cloud infrastructures.

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