Introduction
Mobility is trending. Every other organization has mobile devices operating from distant locations. They are popular more than ever because of the ease of operations and increased employee productivity. But these mobile devices are not completely safe. They pose a threat to the business security and operations on the other hand. In this article, let us throw some light on the various aspects of mobile malware and how it can be hazardous to overall enterprise security.
What is Mobile Malware?
Mobile malware is malware specifically designed to fetch sensitive information from mobile devices. Since they target sensitive private information, they have the potential to harm enterprise security at a deeper level. However, it is not as extensive as malware that targets desktops. But, it is a proliferating threat.
Most of the employees are accessing organizational networks from home these days. The majority of them are not very well equipped with the ISMS policies and security measures. Hence they unknowingly bring potential threats to the enterprise networks.
Hackers and cybercriminals are active more than ever. They are smart enough to detect the weaknesses of the user, system and network. They keep looking for such vulnerabilities.
Common Types of Mobile Malware
Cybercriminals apply every possible tactic to gain access to sensitive data. Because it gives them keys to that infrastructure that companies put together after a lot of effort.
Since, by hacking systems, they can get easy access to confidential information, which was otherwise not possible. Let us look at some of the most common types of mobile malware.
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Advertising Fraud
It is the most common type of cybercrime where a hacker attacks the system through fake advertisements. By clicking on such ads, the hacker gets access to your system easily.
According to a report, in 2020 advertising fraud led to almost 35 billion U.S. dollars loss worldwide.
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Remote Access Tools or RATs
This type of malware hacks the systems to fetch extensive amounts of personal data. It can fetch the entire call history, messages, bank details, web browsing history, contacts, location, etc. RATs can also send messages, access photos and media, access cameras and send emails.
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Bank Trojans
These types of malware are hazardous as they directly deal with money. Such malware often targets users who access bank accounts for transfers and payments online. These days these types of malware attacks are more frequent than ever. Bank trojans access financial login credentials and can steal all your money.
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Ransomware
According to a report, ransomware attacks increased by 148 percent with the advent of Covid-19. Ransomware is the greatest cybersecurity threat. It locks out a device and asks for ransom or money to unlock the device. It threatens to damage the data if the ransom is not paid within the desired time. Ransomware is a growing problem and is causing havoc to enterprises across the globe.
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Phishing
The most common type of malware, yet often neglected. Phishing is an email scam. Through phishing, cybercriminals send malicious links to users to extract confidential information.
It is a kind of spoofing where a malicious email convinces a user to click on hazardous links. When employees click on such links, hackers easily get access to the system. The hackers, then, ask for money and favor in return.
Broader Types of Mobile Security Threats
It is good to be well aware of all kinds of security threats as a business. Other than these mobile malware, organizations need to protect themselves from the below-mentioned security threats.
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Network Security Threats
Network-based security threats are very common. Many employees access corporate databases via unsecured networks like public wi-fi. If the corporate data is not encrypted and monitored, it can fall into wrong hands which can prove hazardous.
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Mobile Application Security Threats
Mobile applications are popular these days as they are helpful in our regular chores. We all install mobile applications frequently. Many harmful applications mirror the authentic ones, leaving little room for suspicion.
When employees install such applications, they silently steal personal information and organizational data without the user’s knowledge.
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Internet-based security threats
Web-based security threats are the most common type of threat. Employees browse websites to extract information, but sometimes it happens the other way round. Malicious attachments silently get downloaded when the user accidentally browses through various websites.
These malicious elements can hack the entire system. VPN configurations are a great way to let your employees work safely and smoothly. Also, end-to-end encryptions are a must to safeguard from such dangers.
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Device-based security threats
Loss or theft of devices poses a greater risk to enterprise security. Because in such cases, cybercriminals have direct access to the system and confidential corporate data.
If the data is not secured by Mobile Device Management software, or if the data is not encrypted; then there can be hazardous consequences for any organization.
Measures to Secure Confidential Corporate Data
Let us head toward some sharp solutions. As an enterprise, you must secure your hard-earned money and sensitive corporate data.
Educate Employees
Education is a virtue. No matter how far you go in life, it is education that will be the torchbearer. So Enterprises! Educate your employees on security-related aspects.
Create a healthy culture where employees must adhere to company norms. Employees must be well-equipped with adequate ISMS knowledge. Of course, human errors are possible. But, the key is to educate them enough to avoid the best they can.
Anti-Malware Solutions
There are many anti-virus solutions available in the market today. They make sure that they alert the users when they accidentally visit a malicious website.
These anti-malware solutions scan your systems periodically. Thus, you can rest assured that your systems are far from such cyberattacks.
Mobile Device Management Solutions
As your employees work remotely, it becomes important to enforce an efficient mobile device management solution as a security strategy. Especially for BYOD, enforcing strict policies is a must. Mobile Device Management solutions or MDMs provide enterprises with a bird’s eye view of their mobile devices.
Many modern-day MDM solutions provide features to protect and safeguard corporate data against misuse and unauthorized access.
Features such as Factory Reset Protection, hardware blocking, firewall settings, VPN configuration settings, remote wipe-off, Data loss prevention, website restrictions, kiosk lockdown, location tracking, geofencing capacities, etc. ensure granular control on employees’ devices and browsing behavior. With MDM solutions, companies can leverage optimum security.
Closing Lines
A company stands on its own feet after a tough grind and back-breaking hard work. Affording to lose hard-earned money and sensitive corporate data in the wrong hands can be painful and can prove hazardous. Within offices, organizations take extreme measures to secure their digital assets and data. But as the employees work remotely, it is very tough for businesses to manage and track their mobile devices for security. A robust Mobile Device Management is the very need of the hour. It saves your corporate data by enforcing strict security policies.