Why you need Anti Malware for Mobile Security: Detect and Prevent Mobile Devices From Being Attack Targets
By Paul Rummery, Securenet Consulting
Don’t let their size and convenience fool you - smartphones and tablets are very much a target of today’s cybercriminals. Protect your employees and your business from mobile malware.
The combination of uncurated app stores, platform openness, and sizeable
marketshare, make the mobile devices an attractive target for mobile malware
developers and scammers.
Market analysts cite a continued rise of 4,000
variants per day, indicating a severe risk that manifests in the form of data
loss, privacy concerns, theft, and fraud.
Malware Threats
Viruses
Viruses are self replicating code that install copies of themselves into other programs, data files or boot sectors of storage devices. Viruses can often carry a “payload” which performs some undesirable function. These functions can include but not limited to:- Stealing drive space
- Stealing cpu cycles
- Accessing private information
- Corrupting data
- Digital defacement or vandalism
- Spamming contact lists
Worms
A worm is a piece of standalone code that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. It normally uses a computer network to spread itself, using security vulnerabilities on the target computer or network to propagate. Unlike a virus, it does not attach itself to an existing file. Even if there is no payload, wor,s consume resources such as bandwidth and storage space just through their act of replication.Trojan horses
A Trojan horse or Trojan is malware that is defined by its delivery method. Through the use of social engineering, or some other method, the code is installed on a system by a valid user or system and like the original Trojan horse, there is something more than advertisied within the software. Trojan’s unlike worms or viruses are generally non-self-replicating. The most common payload of a Trojan is the setting up of a “backdoor” control mechanism to the system that it is installed on.Randsomeware
Is a type of malware, that the name implies, hold the system ranson until payment of some kind is made. It does this by restricting access to the legitimate owner of the system either by encrypting files or locking the system. Usually a message of some kind is displayed with the demand. Upon payment a utility or key is sent to the user to unlock the system.Scareware
Scareware comes in two flavours; the first tries to convince the user that his computer is infested with some non-existent malware, scaring the user into purchasing the author’s virus removal utility. The utility is non-functional or some additional form of malware.The second form tires to convince the user that the computer has been or is being used for an illegal act such as being part of a bot net or storing child pornography. Again the objective is to scare the user into paying to cure something that is not really there.
Spyware
Spyware is used by its authors to collect information about the user and its computer without the users knowledge. The end result can be as beign as being better able to target adds, or criminal users key loggers designed to record account IDs and passwords of bank account and forward them off to the authors.Adware
Software that produces advertisements in order to generate revenue for it author. A lot of people find this in convenient and irritating. As this is not strictly a virus – anti virus products do not stop Adware.Botnets
A botnet is a network of Internet connected computers that have been covertly acquired to forward transmissions to other computers on the Internet on behalf of a ‘master’. User can receive spam or system dramatically impacted when used to launch Distributed Deniel of Service attacks (DDoS).Any such computer is referred to as a zombie, a ‘robot’ or ‘bot’ that serves the wishes of some master originator. Bots, not spam, viruses or worms, current pose the biggest threat to the Internet.
Phishing
Phishing is a social engineering technique that is used to obtain sensitive and confidential information by masquerading as a communication from a trusted entity such as a well known institution, company, or website. Usually the malware is not in the communication itself, but in the links within the communication.Grayware
Grayware programs are unsolicited software programs installed on computers, often without the users consent or knowledge. Grayware programs are generally considered an annoyance, but they can also cause systems performance problems or be used for malicious purposes.How do I know if I'm infected?
Look for issues characteristics of a malware infection:
- Does your web browser freeze or become unresponsive?
- Do you get redirected to web pages other than the ones you are trying to visit?
- Are you bombarded with pop-up messages?
- Does your computer run slower than usual?
- Do you see new icons on your desktop that you don’t recognise?
Anti Malware solutions for Mobile Security
Beyond anti virus & an essential partner with MDM (Mobile Device Management) tools
Difference between Malware and a Virus
The term malware refers to any malicious software, including a computer virus.
Malware is software written specifically to harm and infect the host system.
Malware might steal your identity, install unwanted programs, or encrypt and hold your digital files for ransom.
As a term, “malware” covers all sorts of malicious software, including Trojans, spyware, adware, ransomware, and viruses. Malware is now often delivered by exploiting flaws (“exploits”) in legitimate programs.
Anti Malware Solution Features & Benefits
Enforce Security Policies
Enable and Enforce BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Policies
Powerful, lean protection for your Windows, Apple, OSi, Android devices
Centralised Control
Enforce your web, application, device and data policies with ease, through the management console.Web Control
Category-based web filtering enforced on and off the corporate network.Application Control
Block unauthorised applications.Administrators to exercise control over which applications users can install.
Point-and-click blocking of applications by category or name.
Device Control
Managed access to removable media and mobile devices.Data Control
Data loss prevention (DLP) using prebuilt or custom rules.Device Loss and Theft Protection
- Remote lock or wipe a lost or stolen device
- Trigger a Remote Alarm to make your phone ring loudly
- Display a message for the finder
- Reset your device passcode
- Locate your device with tracking technology (the device also sends its last location before the battery runs out)
- Informs you of a SIM change
Spam Protection
- Filters incoming text messages (SMS) according to your rules
- Places texts with malicious URLs in quarantine
- Blocks unwanted calls according to the filters you set, e.g., calls with hidden user ID
Scanning
Runs continuously in the background, stopping infections before they happen. Scans automatically and halts attempted attacks.Scanning enables scheduled (background) or manual scanning of the device. Users and administrators are notified to either remove or update the policies for rogue or out-of-policy applications.
Privacy Protection and Security
- Detects apps accessing personal data such as your address book
- Lets you easily identify apps which can cause costs
- Gives you advice on how to improve your security settings
Unknown Malware Intelligence
Uses up-to-the-minute threat intelligence from the cloud.
Anti Malware solutions plays a central role in protecting the device from malware. Cloud-based Intelligence services analyse application behaviours. Applications are run through a sandbox which looks for signs of malicious behaviour.
When it finds new, unknown malware, it will generate signatures to remedy infected devices or to put prevention in place.
Clean your mobile device
Clean your smartphone or tablet of harmful applicationsDetects and removes malware on an infected computer with industry-leading anti-malware, anti-spyware, and anti-rootkit tech. Scans for the newest and most dangerous threats. Safely removes malware.
Banking Protection
Extra safety when online banking (Google Chrome, Safe Browser and Dolphin)Blocks Malicious Websites
Stops sites that deliver malware or sites that are compromised by malware.Protection from Botnets
Botnets that have hit the news – performing things such as data mining and espionage, in infected infrastructures, instead of just the typical DDos or spam email attacks.Randsomware Protection
Meet Compliance
Meet compliance requirements for malware protection and audit reporting (for example HIPAA and PCI DSS).Quarantine Infected Devices
Protect data by preventing access from devices that are not appropriately configured or infected with malware.Take action by applying policies that restrict network access until the problem scenario has been remediated.
Sandbox
Device Tampering
Exploit OS vulnerabilities to jailbreak or root devices, bypass security, and install malicious apps from unauthorised app stores.Always-On Connectivity
Mobile devices are hyper-connected and often access sensitive data over untrusted networks, increasing the risk of data loss through Wi-Fi sniffing, rogue access points and Man-in-the-Middle attacks.Malicious or Risky Apps
Collects and shares data such as personally identifiable information (PII) and device location with third party advertising and analytics systems.Protect Wearable Mobile
Mobile Device Reporting
Educate Employees on Mobile Malware
Do your employees know that smartphones and tablets are subject to the same risks as a personal computer? Educate them on the risks associated with mobile malware, from malicious apps to SMS fraud.Solutions: Software and Managed Services
Services: Support, Engineering
Related Topics: Mobile Security Solutions, Mobile Application Testing Services, Mobile Code Testing, Anti-Virus, Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Contact us today to discuss your requirements in more detail.
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