Mobile Malware And Phishing Scams Are Huge In 2022 — How To Stay Safe
2022 is already reaching new highs for mobile hacks. Find out how to keep safe with three simple steps that can deter almost all attacks.
With increases of up to 500%, mobile malware and phishing scam numbers for early 2022 are alarming. As the world enters a post-pandemic reality, people, companies, and organizations are finding themselves more connected than ever before. Everything has a digital presence now and so does finance with the rise of e-wallets and crypto.
The increased use of digital devices and new user habits present many obvious benefits, but it is also a double-edged sword. Malware, software created intentionally to disrupt and gain access, and phishing, where attackers send fraudulent code to trick users, are thriving in this new digital age. Almost all types of hacks, except the zero-click hacks, require some kind of action from the user.
A new report by Proofpoint revealed that mobile attacks are up by 500% in the first months of 2022 in Europe alone. The report is not isolated and marks a global upward trend. Mobile malware and message abuse have increased steadily over the past few years, but are exploding in 2022. Attackers are getting creative as they ramp up attempts using SMS text-based phishing and send malware to mobile devices. They are using common tactics and experts say three simple steps can protect users.
Hackers are no longer just stealing personal and financial credentials. They are also recording telephone and non-telephone audio and video, tracking location, destroying content and data, or blocking it for ransom. The main channels for malware downloads are app stores. The Apple App Store's stricter quality control does not mean it cannot be breached, but it does rank lower in attacks than the Google Play Store. Side-loaded apps on Android and SMS are the preferred platforms for mobile attacks.
The most common threats bots include FluBot, TeaBot, TangeBot, BRATA, and TianySpy. These are deployed depending on the region, language, and purpose of the hack. From data to financial impersonation, using the breached phone to mass spread SMS and credential theft, mobiles are being hacked in all continents. Despite the refined social engineering tactics, these attacks mostly spread due to users' lack of knowledge.
Most of these attacks can be prevented with three simple steps – caution when interacting with content, a good antivirus, and reporting attacks. A trusted mobile antivirus can detect and prevent almost all of the most used hacking techniques. Users should also be cautious with messages, links, URLs, pop-ups, downloads, and what they interact with online. Finally, reporting spam, phishing, and attacks is also vital. These simple steps can keep users safe as mobile attacks skyrocket into 2022.
Source: Proofpoint