Components of a Mobile Security Solution
Mobile security is complex because of the large number of potential attack vectors – devices can be targeted at multiple levels:
- Applications: Malware can be developed and deployed as malicious apps that users unwittingly install on their devices. Mobile security solutions should be able to detect and block downloads of these malicious apps.
- Network: Mobile devices and the legitimate apps that run on them can be targeted at the network level. Man-in-the-Middle, phishing, and other attacks take advantage of network connectivity to steal data or deliver malicious content. Mobile security involves blocking these network-level attacks.
- OS: Both iOS and Android operating systems can contain exploitable vulnerabilities, which are used for jailbreaking/rooting devices either by users or by malware. This provides an attacker with advanced permissions on the device, breaking its security model. Mobile security incorporates real-time risk assessments, configuration monitoring, and other tools to detect exploitation of device vulnerabilities.
Top Threats to Mobile Security
Mobile devices suffer from a number of potential cyber threats. Some of the most common and impactful include:
- Malicious Apps and Websites: Mobile devices can have mobile malware installed on them and access malicious online content.
- Mobile Ransomware: Mobile ransomware is one type of malicious app that is becoming more common and impactful as more valuable and sensitive data is stored on mobile devices.
- Phishing: Mobile devices have access to a number of different communications media – email, SMS, social media, etc. – making them an ideal platform for performing phishing attacks that steal data or carry malicious content.
- Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Mobile communications do not always use secure technologies, making them vulnerable to interception for eavesdropping or modification of data.
- Advanced Jailbreaking and Rooting Techniques: Jailbreaking and rooting provide elevated permissions on a mobile device, enabling an attacker to take a greater range of malicious actions.
- OS Exploits: Like any other software, mobile operating systems can contain exploitable vulnerabilities that place them and their users at risk.