Is your Android smartphone a security risk?


Is your Android smartphone a security risk?

smartphoneDesktop and laptop users install security software updates and do everything they can to safeguard against cyber attacks. The same cannot be said of smartphone users. This is understandable because cyberthreats on mobile phones are less visible… but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. When you factor in smartphone users’ growing dependency on mobile computing, neglecting security for smaller devices is just plain irresponsible.

Mobile malware MO


Most malware comes from applications downloaded from third-party app stores. Once a phone is compromised, the hacker will have access to passwords, user accounts, and other sensitive personal data. Since some Android devices are linked, there is also more than a passing chance that bugs on one device find their way to linked devices.

Who is responsible?



How to avoid being victimized by malware

Yes, the Google Play Store isn’t 100% secure, but downloading from the Google store and other more established app stores — and not from little-known and less secure third-party stores — reduces the probability of downloading malicious apps. In case an infected app makes its way to the store and gets thousands of downloads, Google is usually quick to remove the threatening app from its environment and block other malicious entities.

It also pays to read user reviews. Despite app stores’ best efforts, the proliferation of apps in today’s marketplace makes it nearly impossible to prevent mobile malware from getting through to the store and, afterward, users’ devices.



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