Smartphone and mobile phone security Risks: European Security Agency advice for the protection of devices
Today everyone has a mobile phone and almost everyone has a smartphone, or a mobile phone with touch screen that connects to the Internet and can be used almost like a computer via applications.
Who has a cell phone smartphone uses it all day checking email, playing, writing on Facebook, taking pictures, chatting and surfing on the internet.
What we forget is that any device that connects to the Internet necessarily becomes vulnerable to intruders and security risks.
A mobile smartphone like the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy S3 may contain many sensitive information about the owner.
The risks of security of a mobile phone are mainly from:
1) SMS: When you receive SMS spam containing links to click you are faced with a clear case of Phishing identical to the one with which you are trying to deceive people as possible via Email.
SMS scams are those who ask, with any excuse, call a phone number to report private information to an automatic system.
In severe cases these attempts try to steal the password of the online bank account.
2) Theft or loss of the smartphone: a lost or stolen cell phone that is left in an unprotected state allows anyone who finds or steals it to read all of his memory and access the saved data that are often extremely private.
The same thing can happen if the phone is sold or given to another person or if it is thrown.
If it were lost would be really trouble, partly because a thief or those who find the phone could easily take possession of the store password and account Google, Facebook and email.
In any case, you have to do and put the good old PIN access or, at least, the combination of touch which is available on Android smartphones.
For security against theft and loss, you should install an application that is able to track the smartphone or, at least, remote lock and erase all memory destroying the data stored on it.
3) Applications dangerous or badly designed that transmit private data remotely.
Some applications are like viruses and the only way to avoid these risks is not to install these applications.
In general, the app on the official market store are certified then they should not hide deceit, especially if you are in the market for some time.
For each application in the store, whether it be one or Android to iTunes, there are the comments of the users who have tried the application, then it becomes easier to understand if there are problems or not.
The risk of downloading malicious applications is especially high for Android, because you can also find the app market alternatives that are not Google Play.
4) Network attacks via Wifi or Bluetooth.
With a mobile smartphone Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, or other less common models you can connect to the Internet using the WiFi network and free hotspots that are around.
The problem is that sometimes some free networks are traps set up by scammers that capture all the data passing through that network, sniffing the traffic.
If you find a free Wi-Fi in a public place that is not available from a shop, or a mall, a hotel or fast food, then it would be better not to connect or, at least, avoid typing your login and password which can be intercepted.
The Bluetooth can hardly be at risk, however, it is always best to keep it turned off when not in use.
5) Problems of location.
Thanks to wireless networks and GPS, you can make use of services that leverage geolocation, recognizing at all times where the phone is located.
To avoid being found, it would be good to disable localization in applications such as Facebook, Twitter or other social networks.
In summary, to avoid any risk of safety resulting from the use of a mobile phone or smartphone should follow certain tips to protect yourself:
- Put the lock screen with a password or a PIN.
- Delete all the data stored in the phone or on the external memory card of your smartphone when you retire or when you transfer to another person.
- Only install applications from the store or official, however, always check the comments and reviews.
- Do not do the Jailbreak iPhone or Android root if you are not experienced enough to know what this means.
Advantages of unlocking an iPhone or an Android phone are many for those who like to tinker with the system and install various applications, but this process also opens a door to viruses, malware and malicious apps.
- Do not connect to public wireless networks unsafe.
- Install security software is still recommended.
Source of this article is the ENISA, the European Agency for Safety of networks and information that has published a report on smartphone security.
05/02/2013
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Translated via software
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Source:
Italian version of ReteArchitetti.it