What all can compromise your smartphone?

BANGALORE, INDIA: Smartphones can be prone to several security risks and data leakage, phishing, and spyware are just a few of them, identifies European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) in its latest report.

ENISA identifies a few of such risks that smartphones are prone to:

Data leakage: A stolen or lost phone with unprotected memory allows an attacker to access the data on it.

Improper decommissioning: The phone is disposed of or transferred to another user without removing sensitive data, allowing an attacker to access the data on it.

Also Read: Smartphones: Security concerns on rise

Unintentional data disclosure: Most apps have privacy settings but many users are unaware (or do not recall) that the data is being transmitted, let alone know of the existence of the settings to prevent this.

Phishing: An attacker collects user credentials (e.g. passwords, credit card numbers) using fake apps or (sms,email) messages that seem genuine.

Spyware: The smartphone has spyware installed allowing an attacker to access or infer personal data. NB spyware includes any software requesting and abusing excessive privilege requests. It does not include targeted surveillance software.

Network spoofing attacks: An attacker deploys a rogue network access point and users connect to it. The attacker subsequently intercepts the user communication to carry out further attacks such as phishing.

Surveillance: Spying on an individual with a targeted user’s smartphone.

Diallerware: An attacker steals money from the user by means of malware that makes hidden use of premium sms services or numbers.

Financial Malware: Malware specifically designed for stealing credit card numbers, online banking credentials or subverting online banking or e commerce transactions.

Network congestion: Network resource overload due to smartphone usage leading to network unavailability for the end-user.