The increased use of personal phones for work and the continued growth of mobile malware increase the risk for organizations and companies.
The mobile phone is used everywhere both personally and professionally. Many organizations have policies BYOD, which allow and encourage employees to use their own personal mobile phones at work.
Many of these devices have access to corporate networks and sensitive data , however many may not be as protected or secure as company devices
A recent report examines the use of mobile devices in corporate networks and the risks of mobile malware. The report also provides advice on protecting organizations from mobile malware and threats.
The report also cites findings from previous studies. One found that 80% of employees use their personal cell phones for work , and another found that 70% of businesses allow employees to bring their own devices to work.
At the same time, malware is constantly growing (750 million malware in more than 10 billion attacks). Mobile malware is a small percentage of this total, but it can be very dangerous because it can gain access to sensitive information.
Specifically, credit card data, personal information, and more can be obtained through Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) used on mobile phones.
Mobile devices can open the door to many threats mainly related to mobile malware.
Most mobile devices come with a large number of applications, including email, SaaS-based programs, cloud storage, social media, gaming, and news apps.
The more apps there are, the more updates they need, and the more protocols they can access. Furthermore, the more time a user spends on the device, the greater the risk of infection by mobile malware or other threats.
More attack opportunities
The increasing number services on mobile devices can provide more opportunities for theft or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Attackers use various ways to infect employees' devices with mobile malware and gain access to corporate networks.
Mobile devices are equipped with certain features, such as cameras and microphones, that can be easily exploited by hackers for malicious purposes. A compromised mobile phone can be used to take photos, sensitive documents, presentations, etc.
Personal vs professional use
Users can easily mix personal and business contacts and other information. This means mistakes can be made, such as sending sensitive company data to the wrong person or posting it on personal social media.
To help organizations protect themselves from mobile malware and related threats, they should follow these tips:
1. Limit the use of personal cell phones
One of the most effective ways to protect the work environment is to limit the use of personal mobile phones for work-related purposes.
2. Monitor the network
Be sure to use network detection and response (NDR) solutions to analyze mobile device traffic.
3. Check BYOD policies
Make sure BYOD policies are strict enough. It should be clear which apps are allowed and which are not, and how they are used appropriately.
4. Mobile device management
Implement strict device policies . Make sure there are policies in place that lock down devices, secure VPN access, etc.
5. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
This protection method is very widespread and is necessary as an extra barrier to hackers.
6. User training
Users are the first line of defense. Training must be regular, because hackers and mobile and other malware creators are constantly improving their methods.
