Most people nowadays use their smartphones just as they once did their desktop computers. They search the web; they make purchases in online stores; they communicate with friends. Yet, unlike as they did with their computers, they don’t take the time to protect their mobile devices with comprehensive security.
Too many smartphone users believe that their mobile devices are safe from attack based on outdated and blatantly false assumptions. Here are a few common misconceptions about mobile security that should convince you to take advantage of mobile security solutions today.
Mobile Devices Are Inherently More Secure
Mobile devices were developed after decades of tinkering with computer operating systems, which means that developers had the opportunity to learn from security mistakes in the past and create devices that were inherently more secure — and initially, they were. The first mobile devices were radically better prepared to combat the existing malware threats of their day.
However, the threat landscape has changed, and mobile device developers have done little to adapt their built-in security measures to meet evolving user needs. The fact is that you should not assume that your mobile devices are powerful enough to identify and avoid mobile malware without additional mobile security solutions.
Malware Is Not Common for Mobile Devices
Criminals tend to be lazy, looking for the easiest way to maximize their score. Thus, while the number of traditional computers — and the amount of web traffic from traditional computers — outweighed the number of mobile devices, it made more economical sense for cybercriminals to focus on creating malware that targeted traditional computers.
Yet, mobile traffic has exceeded computer traffic for years now, and criminals have taken notice. Mobile malware development has reached a fever pitch, and millions of mobile malware variants are released onto the web every day. Your chances of encountering mobile malware are increasing, so the sooner you protect yourself appropriately, the better.
Mobile Device Security Cannot Be Centralized
While this is often a concern for businesses with BYOD policies, home users might also harbor the misconception that each mobile device must manage its security separately, even if it shares a network with other mobile devices. Fortunately, this is simply not the case.
Businesses can take advantage of unified endpoint management solutions, which can communicate security mandates and updates to all devices regardless of location. This gives IT teams more visibility and control over the mobile devices connected to their network, radically increasing the security of their network overall.
Home users, meanwhile, can utilize mobile security applications that link with robust antivirus security suites managed from a computer. This helps families manage their diverse range of devices, ensuring every family member is adequately protected regardless of their tech savvy or cyber hygiene.
Mobile Security Shifts Based on Location
You might assume that your mobile device is only at risk of malware infection or another type of cyber attack when you are out in the world, connecting to unfamiliar networks. While public Wi-Fi and other unsecured networks certainly introduce a higher level of risk, the truth is that your devices can become infected and attacked at home, too. A large number of mobile malware hides in social media links or app advertisements, which you are as likely to interact with at home as out and about.
While it does benefit you to be especially careful with how you use your mobile devices in certain environments, the truth is that you need extra layers of protection no matter what.
Mobile Device Security Is Prohibitively Expensive
If you are like most mobile device users, between monthly device payments your mobile network bill you are already utilizing a significant portion of your budget to keep your mobile device up and running, so you probably don’t want to add another steep expense for something you might only potentially need.
However, security is important; if your mobile device is attacked, you could lose all of the data on your device but also full functionality of the device itself. What’s more, if your mobile device connects to your home network, malware could travel into other devices, devastating even more of your data. The resulting damage could equal several thousands of dollars, much less than the monthly cost of a simple mobile security solution.
Mobile devices are far from immune to malware, and because so many users have incorrect assumptions about mobile security, mobile devices are falling victim to attack in far greater numbers than ever before. By learning the truth about security on your mobile device, you can make better choices that keep you and your family safer into the future.
