Smartphones have a lot to answer for.
“More and more people are using their smartphone to transmit personal and financial information over the internet, whether it’s for online banking, shopping or social networking,” said Francis Maude, Minister for Cyber Security.
“This latest research from Get Safe Online shows that 17% of smartphone users now use their phone for money matters and this doesn’t escape the notice of criminals.”
More than a fifth of smartphone users are downloading new apps at least once a month and Omri Sigelman, of security experts AVG, believes the problems will only get worse.
He said: “As mobile phones have become more powerful, essentially as powerful as PCs from only a few years ago, not many people yet realise they have become interesting targets for cyber criminals.
“A mobile device is more personal than your computer at home, as it goes next to your wallet and your house keys and contains valuable data, your contacts, your family photos and memories.
“Much of this is not only valuable to the owner, it is also very valuable for criminals who can use it steal money or identities.”
Former high-tech crime investigator and managing director of GetSafeOnline Tony Neate explained: “These devices are essentially mini laptops with a wealth of personal information. We are seeing smartphones targeted by sophisticated and lucrative malware scams with increasing frequency and severity.”
What you can do to protect yourself
Here are our top tips to ensure your phone, data and identity stay safe:
• Check your mobile phone bill regularly. Sign up for an online account on your network’s website and log in to monitor your usage each week. You’ll soon spot anything that’s out of the ordinary.
• If you plan to sell or recycle your mobile phone, ensure the memory is totally wiped. Go into the settings to carry out a Master Reset, which will delete all phone numbers, text messages and pictures.
• If you feel you have been the victim of phone fraud with rogue premium rate numbers charged on your bill, contact your network immediately. You can find out more at the website for the regulator, PhonePay Plus
• Beware of rogue or fake apps designed to steal your personal details. Fraudsters often make them look like “free levels” of games or special offers. This malware can even let criminals intercept your text messages or see what you’re surfing.
• Download anti-virus or anti-malware software for your mobile. Rik Ferguson, of Trend Micro, believes: “Smart phone security is available but not widely deployed. Soon it will need to be common place.”
• Remember that rogue apps can appear in legitimate app stores as well as at the end of links sent around via email or posted on websites and social networks. Always read feedback before you download an app and if you’re unsure, check out the maker with a Yahoo! search or look if they’ve produced other popular apps with good positive feedback.
• If your battery is draining faster than normal, it could be a sign that something hidden on your phone is running in the background.
• When surfing the web on your mobile using a Wi-Fi hotspot, follow the same rules as you would on a computer. Never use a ‘free’ hotspot that’s unsecure otherwise it could be a route for hackers to retrieve data from your handset.
• Turn off your Bluetooth when you aren’t using it. This can be another way for hackers to access your mobile or send you a file you hadn’t asked for. If you suddenly get a message on your screen asking you to download a picture, video or information, treat it cautiously. Some places such as shopping centres routinely send Bluetooth alerts when you pass a certain store or info point but not everything that may pop up will be official and safe.
• Location services on mobile phones are becoming more and more popular. But remember, having it turned on may mean people you don’t know can see where you are. This can lead to all sorts of issues, including revealing you’re away from home on holiday and giving criminals the chance to burgle your property.
Advances in technology mean we can’t now live without our handsets for more than five minutes, always wanting to be connected. But the trade off is that while they may they save us time, money, effort and bring plenty of fun into our lives they come with a pretty hefty risk.
Research from Get Safe Online shows more and more people are being caught out by a wide range of scams planned by cybercrooks. Whether it’s charges of £6 for messages owners haven’t actually sent or rogue app downloads compromising handset security, new ways of conning you out of money are increasingly common.
“More and more people are using their smartphone to transmit personal and financial information over the internet, whether it’s for online banking, shopping or social networking,” said Francis Maude, Minister for Cyber Security.
“This latest research from Get Safe Online shows that 17% of smartphone users now use their phone for money matters and this doesn’t escape the notice of criminals.”
More than a fifth of smartphone users are downloading new apps at least once a month and Omri Sigelman, of security experts AVG, believes the problems will only get worse.He said: “As mobile phones have become more powerful, essentially as powerful as PCs from only a few years ago, not many people yet realise they have become interesting targets for cyber criminals.
“A mobile device is more personal than your computer at home, as it goes next to your wallet and your house keys and contains valuable data, your contacts, your family photos and memories.
“Much of this is not only valuable to the owner, it is also very valuable for criminals who can use it steal money or identities.”
Former high-tech crime investigator and managing director of GetSafeOnline Tony Neate explained: “These devices are essentially mini laptops with a wealth of personal information. We are seeing smartphones targeted by sophisticated and lucrative malware scams with increasing frequency and severity.”
What you can do to protect yourself
Here are our top tips to ensure your phone, data and identity stay safe:
• Check your mobile phone bill regularly. Sign up for an online account on your network’s website and log in to monitor your usage each week. You’ll soon spot anything that’s out of the ordinary.
• If you plan to sell or recycle your mobile phone, ensure the memory is totally wiped. Go into the settings to carry out a Master Reset, which will delete all phone numbers, text messages and pictures.
• If you feel you have been the victim of phone fraud with rogue premium rate numbers charged on your bill, contact your network immediately. You can find out more at the website for the regulator, PhonePay Plus
• Beware of rogue or fake apps designed to steal your personal details. Fraudsters often make them look like “free levels” of games or special offers. This malware can even let criminals intercept your text messages or see what you’re surfing.
• Download anti-virus or anti-malware software for your mobile. Rik Ferguson, of Trend Micro, believes: “Smart phone security is available but not widely deployed. Soon it will need to be common place.”
• Remember that rogue apps can appear in legitimate app stores as well as at the end of links sent around via email or posted on websites and social networks. Always read feedback before you download an app and if you’re unsure, check out the maker with a Yahoo! search or look if they’ve produced other popular apps with good positive feedback.
• If your battery is draining faster than normal, it could be a sign that something hidden on your phone is running in the background.
• When surfing the web on your mobile using a Wi-Fi hotspot, follow the same rules as you would on a computer. Never use a ‘free’ hotspot that’s unsecure otherwise it could be a route for hackers to retrieve data from your handset.
• Turn off your Bluetooth when you aren’t using it. This can be another way for hackers to access your mobile or send you a file you hadn’t asked for. If you suddenly get a message on your screen asking you to download a picture, video or information, treat it cautiously. Some places such as shopping centres routinely send Bluetooth alerts when you pass a certain store or info point but not everything that may pop up will be official and safe.
• Location services on mobile phones are becoming more and more popular. But remember, having it turned on may mean people you don’t know can see where you are. This can lead to all sorts of issues, including revealing you’re away from home on holiday and giving criminals the chance to burgle your property.
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