Just like desktops and laptops, mobile devices also face the threat of malware. Called mobile malware, this malicious software can affect cell phones and tablets.
It can attack these mobile devices in the form of trojan horses, adware, spyware, and ransomware, and can infect the devices from third-party app stores or from infected sites visited on the web browser. Like traditional malware, mobile malware is extremely harmful to mobile devices. Thankfully, there are ways to identify, remove, and even prevent mobile malware on your mobile devices.
One form mobile malware can take is ransomware. This attack will hold your device ransom by locking it and forcing you to pay money to have it unlocked. Mobile malware can also take the form of spyware and trojan horses. Here, apps can be installed on your device without your permission, infected apps can steal your account usernames and passwords, and an attack can make it appear like your phone is turned off but it’s secretly making calls. Finally, attacks can also come in the form of adware. These dangerous popups, if clicked, will open fake websites that cause unwanted apps to install.
While mobile malware is a big concern, the number of phones infected is thankfully decreasing. The security firm Damballa says that of the 151 million mobile devices it tracks, only 9,688 devices have been exposed to malware. If you think you have mobile malware, you can use anti-virus software or restore your device to factory mode to remove it. One way to help prevent mobile malware from ending up on your devices is to make sure you are running the most recent software updates. Apple’s iPad mini 3, for example, routinely comes out with new updates to help avoid mobile malware threats.
Keep reading to learn more about mobile malware and how it can affect your mobile devices.
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