Table of Contents
Introduction
As more and more of our work is being done on mobile devices, security has become a real concern. Mobile devices are vulnerable to a number of attacks that can compromise your privacy and data. In this post, I will examine some of the top security threats in 2023 that you need to know about if you have a mobile device in your workplace or personal life. As mobile devices become more and more powerful, they are becoming more and more popular as a target for hackers. In fact, according to the Ponemon Institute’s Cost of Data Breach Study, 63 percent of breaches involved mobile devices in some way.
The reason for this is that mobile security threats are on the rise. In fact, nearly half (42%) of organizations have experienced an increase in mobile device cyberattacks over the previous year.
Many common approaches don’t work well on phones because the tools for control are harder to manage compared with your desktop or laptop computer; instead you’ll need to rely on third parties like MDM/UEM solutions.
More and more of our work is being done on mobile devices.
You may have noticed that the number of people working on mobile devices has increased dramatically in recent years. This is because more and more of our work is being done on mobile devices. As a result, mobile devices are becoming increasingly important for your organization as well. In fact, they’re becoming such a critical part of our lives that some organizations are even considering them to be a replacement for traditional PCs—or at least as an additional tool in their arsenal. But this increased prevalence also brings with it certain challenges: namely, how to protect your data from threats and ensure its security while you use it.
Mobile security attacks are on the rise
Mobile security threats are on the rise. The number of mobile devices is growing at a rapid rate, and the number of mobile security attacks and vulnerabilities is also increasing. According to analysts at Check Point, there has been a 42% global year-on-year increase in attacks. These two factors make it imperative that you protect your data with strong encryption.
Be aware of some of the most common threats to mobile devices in 2023:
- Malware
- Ransomware
- Open WiFi
- Phishing attacks
- Spyware
Mobile devices can be even more vulnerable to security threats than PCs because they go wherever your users go, which requires them to be protected against malware and other malicious attacks. Mobile device users should also be careful when using their devices in public places.
Mobile devices are a different beast from PCs. You cannot manage them the same way that you manage PCs. Mobile device management (MDM) is often not enough on its own and needs to be combined with other technologies like unified endpoint management (UEM).
The following sections will discuss some of the most common mobile vulnerabilities.
Malware and ransomware
Malware is malicious software that can be installed on your device without your knowledge or consent. It may take over an app for nefarious purposes, such as stealing information from it or taking photos without notifying you. Most malware is designed to target Android devices because they’re more vulnerable than iOS devices; however, there’s still plenty out there designed for Apple users too!
Ransomware is malicious software that can be delivered through apps, phishing, or drive-by downloads. The software then blocks access to your device until you pay a ransom in cryptocurrency.
One simple way to protect yourself from this threat is by being alert when downloading apps that look suspicious or unknown. It’s also important to make sure your operating system is up-to-date with the latest patches and updates so that it’s protected against known vulnerabilities.
Security spending is on the rise
Security is a key concern for any enterprise. It’s important to understand what security threats are out there, because these can have a significant impact on your business and the personal data of your employees. If you don’t know what you are protecting against, then how can you protect it?
According to CIODive, “Security and business applications will share the top spot in managed IT services budgets, each with an 11% share.”
Unifying endpoint management
These are just some of the many threats that mobile devices face. The best way to protect yourself from them is to be aware of what’s going on in the world around you and take appropriate steps to protect yourself. For example, if someone sends you an email with a link that looks suspicious, just don’t click on it!
We’re here to help if you’d like some help setting up or managing your company’s UEM. With brightfin’s real-time API integrations and device assignments, we can help your team automate workflows around manual processes like employee transitions – eliminating manual work and improving employee experiences.
