Last year, Kaspersky found out that there were a lot more attacks on mobile devices compared to the past year. The total number of attacks reached almost 33.8 million, which is a 50% increase from the previous year. The most common type of problem was adware, which made up 40.8% of all the issues.
One of the biggest threats to mobile devices is a type of software called adware. Adware displays unwanted pop-up ads, which can be annoying and frustrating. Adware accounted for 40.8% of all threats detected. Another type of threat to mobile devices is banking Trojans. These are malicious software that aim to steal your banking information. The number of installation packages for these Trojans decreased to 153,682 this year. However, the number of attacks using mobile bankers remained at a similar level.
Cybercriminals often spread harmful software through mobile app stores, both official and unofficial ones. In the year 2023, the cybersecurity company found many fake applications on Google Play that were designed to trick people. One of the most common types of apps were fake investment apps. These apps used sneaky tactics to gather personal information from users, such as their full names and phone numbers. The cybercriminals would then use this information to scam people over the phone.
Kaspersky experts also found that hackers made fake versions of popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. These fake apps were made to steal user information.
“The surge in Android malware and riskware activity throughout 2023 marks a concerning shift after a period of relative calm. Reaching levels reminiscent of early 2021 by year-end, this uptick underscores the significant threat users face. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and implementing robust security measures to protect against evolving cyber threats,” commented Anton Kivva, mobile security expert at Kaspersky.
To protect yourself from mobile threats, Kaspersky shares the following recommendations:
- It is safer to download your apps only from official stores like Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore. Apps from these markets are not 100% failsafe, but at least they get checked by shop representatives and there is some filtration system — not every app can get onto these stores.
- Check the permissions of apps that you use and think carefully before permitting an app, especially when it comes to high-risk permissions such as Accessibility Services. The only permission that a flashlight app needs is to the flashlight (which doesn’t even involve camera access).
- A reliable security solution helps you detect malicious apps and adware before they start behaving badly on your devices. Conveniently, you can get protection, like Kaspersky Premium, directly from mobile operators.
- Update your operating system and important apps as updates become available. Many safety issues can be solved by installing updated versions of software.
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