what is a mobile threat?

WHAT IS A

MOBILE THREAT?

By Lookout, Inc.

Like viruses and spyware that can infect your PC, there are a variety of security threats that can affect mobile devices.

APP-BASEDTHREATS

PHYSICALTHREATS

NETWORKTHREATS

WEB-BASEDTHREATS

We divide these mobile threats into several categories:

APP-BASEDTHREATSMalware

Spyware

Privacy Threats

Vulnerable Applications

PHYSICALTHREATS

NETWORKTHREATS

WEB-BASEDTHREATS

“Malicious apps” may look fine on a download site, but they are specifically designed to commit fraud.

Malwareis software that performs malicious actions while installed on your phone.

• make charges to your phone bill

• send unsolicited messages to your contact list

• give an attacker control over your device

Without your knowledge,

malware can:

Spywareis designed to collect or use private data without your knowledge or approval.

Data commonly targeted by spyware includes phone call history, text messages, user location, browser history, contact list, email, and private photos. This stolen information could

be used for identity theft or financial fraud.

Privacy Threatsmay be caused by applications that are not necessarily malicious, but gather or use sensitive information — like location, contact lists, and personally identifiable information — than is necessary to perform their function.

Vulnerable Applicationsare apps that contain flaws which can be exploited for malicious purposes.

Such vulnerabilities allow an attacker to access sensitive information, perform undesirable actions, stop a service from functioning correctly,

or download apps to your device without your knowledge.

APP-BASEDTHREATS

PHYSICALTHREATS

NETWORKTHREATS

WEB-BASEDTHREATSPhishing Scams

Drive-by Downloads

Browser Exploits

Because mobile devices are constantly connected to the Internet and frequently used to access web-based services, web-based threats pose

persistent issues for mobile devices.

Often these messagesand sites are very difficult to distinguish from those of your bank or other legitimate sources.

Phishing Scamsuse email, text messages, Facebook, and Twitter to send you links to websites that are designed to trick you into

providing information like passwords or account numbers.

Drive-by Downloadscan automatically download an application when you visit a web page.

Simply by visiting an

unsafe web page, you can trigger a browser exploit that can install malware or perform

other actions on your device.

Browser Exploitstake advantage of vulnerabilities in your mobile web browser or software launched by the browser such as a Flash player, PDF reader, or image viewer.

APP-BASEDTHREATS

PHYSICALTHREATS

NETWORKTHREATSNetwork Exploits

WiFi Sniffing

WEB-BASEDTHREATS

Mobile devices typically support cellular networks as well as local wireless networks like WiFi and Bluetooth, which can open the door to threats.

Once connected, they can

install malware on your phone without your

knowledge.Network Exploitstake advantage of flaws in the mobile operating system or other software that operates on local or cellular networks.

Many applications and web pages do not use proper security measures, sending unencrypted data across the network that can be easily read by someone who

is grabbing data as it travels.

WiFi Sniffingintercepts data as it is traveling through the air between the device and the WiFi access point.

APP-BASEDTHREATS

PHYSICALTHREATSLost or Stolen Devices

NETWORKTHREATS

WEB-BASEDTHREATS

Mobile devices are small, valuable and we carry them everywhere with us, so their physical security is also an important consideration.

Lost or Stolen Devicesare one of the most prevalent mobile threats.

The mobile device is valuable not only because the hardware itself can be re-sold, but more importantly because of the sensitive

personal and organization information it may contain.

• Set a passcode on your phone

• Download software updates

• Be cautious when downloading apps

• Stick to window-shopping on public WiFi

• Protect your phone like you protect your PC

• Download Lookout to protect your devices

You can protect yourself with these tips:

Keep in touch with

@lookout

/mylookout

blog.lookout.com

contact@lookout.com

http://bit.ly/mobile-threat