Most of us keep our mobile devices with us throughout the day. We check them frequently. We even keep them at very close range while we sleep because these devices enable access to information anytime and anywhere. Today, they conduct more than half of all internet traffic, and the distinction between a mobile device and a PC is hazy.
Because your portable device can contain vast amounts of sensitive information, they are very attractive targets and provide lucrative opportunities for criminals who are intent on exploiting them.
With enticing data from mobile app activities, such as banking, social networking, email, maintaining calendar and contacts, mobile e-commerce, as well as GPS information, a multitude of vulnerabilities exist.
For example, vulnerabilities in the technology layer of a mobile device, as well as SMS, MMS, Bluetooth, and the synchronisation between computers and mobile devices, are potential attack vectors that extend the capabilities of malicious actors. Cybercriminal activity targeting mobile devices can have dire consequences, including stealing critical data, tracking users and denying access to devices. Your mobile devices can also be used as a launching pad for more lucrative attacks aimed at enterprise systems, social networks and cloud platforms.
To help mitigate threats affecting these vulnerabilities, secure your Wi-fi network. Technically, the term Wi-fi stands for Wireless Fidelity, and your wireless router is the primary entrance for Cybercriminals to access your connected devices at home.
Always secure your digital devices. Before connecting to any public wireless hotspot, such as on an aeroplane, in an airport, hotel or cafe, confirm the name of the network and login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure the legitimacy of the network.
Public hotspots are always a security risk. To protect against the risk of juice jacking, think twice before using a seemingly convenient charging station at the hotel, airport or train station, instead invest in your own private charger. Those free charging stations might be loaded with malware that will infect your device and give attackers easy access to your data.
If devices on your network are compromised, someone could be eavesdropping on you, even in your home on encrypted Wi-fi. In doing the right thing, you have to do the right thing. Let’s develop good travelling habits so as to protect our portable devices.
Action Point
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