Understanding Smartphone Malware

Understanding Smartphone Malware

Our smartphones could be badly affected by malware and other malicious codes. Malware may infect our smartphone when we chat with friends, stay connected while on the go and download pirated apps. Malware is always a threat to our smartphone and many people are targeting millions of Android and iOS devices. It is clear that our data and personal information are at stake. This should be a good time for us to find ways how to secure our smartphones. A proper anti virus software should be able to perform regular scans on our smartphone. The software should also be able to create various backup information and perform multiple security tasks.

First, we should know how malware could potentially infect our smartphone. Malware itself is a malicious software that could steal and tamper with our data. Worst of all, average smartphone users don’t know that their devices have been infected. Malware is designed to work quietly as if nothing bad is going on. In the meantime, the code could silently transmit our contacts, passwords, personal information and other critical details to a remote server. We would know that something bad is happening when we start receiving bills for subscriptions that we don’t need.

When our smartphone is infected, it is also incredibly easy for hackers to track our current location. Malware may also silently install apps into our smartphones that make it easier for hackers to steal data and other information. Malware typically enters our smartphone through pirated apps. There are websites that provide free copies of paid apps. These apps and games would work smoothly, but it comes with a dangerous digital payload that will be unleashed once the app or game is installed. When we visit specific website and install the pirated app, it is likely that we have already harmed our smartphone.

It is important for us to install a proper security app that detects and eliminates malware quickly. An anti-malware app should perform a thorough scan of our device. It will ensure that no threat, such as malware or virus would reside in our smartphone. The security app should also be able to perform scheduled backups that can be restored when we need it. The app may contain a variety of features, such as wipe, remote data lock, reports on unusual app activities and others. Once the anti malware app is installed, it should be able to start scanning for possible and potential threats.

The anti malware software may also offer privacy report. Alert could be generated for apps that access our messages, location information, contacts and other essential data. There should be scheduled scan to make sure that our smartphone can be kept clean. The scanning feature should work well on both internal storage and SD card. If an app is found to perform questionable activities, an alert message will be shown to notify us whether the app should be uninstalled or not. There are even mini firewall solutions that can thwart hacking attacks.