A contemporary Android device can do virtually anything a computer can. It can even get contaminated by a virus or other malware. The threat pool has never been larger, and Android devices are among the most attacked devices in 2021.
If you want to protect your device and your privacy, then you should be on the lookout for the biggest Android phone threats. Even though there are so many different kinds of Android exploits, many of them either show similar symptoms or can be resolved similarly
In this article, we’ll go over the most common threats, discuss a couple of easy ways to up your cybersecurity game, and teach you how not to fall victim to these annoying exploits.
Biggest Threats to Your Android Device
Using an Android can be challenging because you have to deal with Android security breaches as well as common Android malware. Unfortunately, Android devices are more vulnerable to exploits compared to iPhones, because they don’t have such hard app-approving policies.
On the other hand, iPhone users have a much smaller pool of applications to choose from precisely because the company heavily moderates who can upload applications to the App Store.
Different Android spy software is also another reason for concern because these tools allow the attacker to keep tabs on everything that you do on your phone. They can use this data for blackmail and spying, or to steal your identity.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – we’ll discuss this a bit more in-depth below.
Here are some of the biggest threats to your Android devices:
Spyware and Malware
Spyware is used to survey or collect data. It is most typically installed on a mobile device when users click on malicious advertising (“malvertisement”) or through scams that fool users into installing it unwittingly. Spyware can wreak havoc on your Android device. Hackers can collect or sorts of sensitive data and imagery and use them for blackmail or identity theft. Spyware is usually silent and runs in the background, which is why it’s so difficult to spot and get rid of.
Encryption gaps
Consider a situation in which you get a leakage in your pipe system through a hole. The same is the case with your android phone when encryption gaps happen. This is a serious issue for most companies who don’t run frequent security checks on their software. Through encryption gaps, the hacker can enter your phone and take all the necessary data. It’s like a backdoor that lets the hacker swoop in and steal your data.
Network Spoofing
Network spoofing is a process where attackers use computers or mobile phones to trick other computer networks into believing that they’re receiving signals from a legitimate entity. This practice is common when performing DDoS attacks,
Social engineering
People can send bogus emails (phishing attacks) or text messages (smishing attacks) to your device in an attempt to deceive them into passing over confidential information such as their passwords or putting malware onto their devices, which is known as social engineering.
They usually create fake websites and emails that look like real entities. However, as soon as you click on a link from their email or enter your data on their fake websites, before you realize it, someone has already stolen your passwords and information and probably sold it on the Dark Web.
How to Protect Your Android Phone?
According to reports, the usage of mobile wallets and mobile payment systems is likely to expand, which will likely lead to an increase in mobile malware assaults. Data breaches and cyber assaults are predicted to become more widespread due to organizations’ and individuals’ extensive adoption of digital technologies.
If you or your company don’t want to fall victim to these exploits, here are a few ways to protect your Android phone:
VPN
Install a Virtual Private Network, often known as a VPN, between your phone and the internet to preserve your privacy. To access a website, you will connect to your virtual private network (VPN) servers, then route you to the page in question. It protects your surfing activity from prying eyes, but it might also cause pages to load more slowly than usual. It does so by encrypting all user traffic and assigning your device a brand new IP address which hackers can’t intercept.
Antivirus
Antivirus programs are another way to ensure that your Android devices are protected. You can find a wide variety of free antivirus solutions on the market. A quick installation will let you scan all your devices regularly and ensure that there’s no malware in your systems. Antiviruses are frequently updated to ensure that they cover even the latest of threats.
Avoid Public WiFi
Public Wi-Fi networks are extremely vulnerable to cyberattacks because they’re so poorly secured and because a large number of devices use it simultaneously, making it a perfect catch for hackers. If you have no other option but to use public Wi-Fi, make sure to connect to it through a VPN. That way, hackers won’t be able to intercept your traffic and do damage.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Having an additional layer of security makes it challenging for attackers to gain access to your device. Even if your password is compromised, a password alone will not be enough to pass the multi-factor authentication check, making the process more secure. There are many different kinds of multi-factor authentication, such as:
- Email verification
- SMS verification
- Phone call verification
- Authenticator apps
Conclusion
While using your device, you need to beware of the above said security issues. Updating your apps, using multi-factor authentication, and using VPN are some of the ways you can secure your personal information and diminish Android security risks. To avoid Android threats such as android cyber attacks, you need to be careful of the sites you visit and the information you keep on your phone.