Although 2016 just started, it’s never too early to start thinking about the security threats your company will face this year. Expect one of the biggest security threats to come from mobile devices. So many people use them, especially for business. As a result, hackers and criminals have taken a greater interest in attacking mobile devices. Read on to learn which threats to look out for in 2016.
Backdoor Attacks
In technology, a “backdoor” refers to an application that allows remote access to a device. Backdoors are especially vulnerable to attacks.
Hackers can easily leverage backdoors to access a device or even an entire network. Because mobile devices have so many apps that enable remote access, they’re a goldmine for hackers.
What can you do to prevent such attacks? Select a strong security solution that monitors hidden gateways into the network.
Hacking Mobile Payment Services
Mobile payment services are becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, that means that they’ll be targeted by hackers and criminals.
Digital security expert Min-Pyo Hong believes that hackers will analyze services such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay to bypass security and exploit vulnerabilities. Once they’ve done that, they can steal users’ credit card information and commit fraud.
Mobile Web Browser-Based Hacks
Hong also predicts that hackers will take advantage of the vulnerabilities inherent in mobile web-based browsers. When a hacker attacks a device through a mobile web-based browser, he or she can bypass system-level security measures.
The security expert has even more bad news: he expects security analysts and hackers to expose even more vulnerabilities in mobile web-based browsers, and foresees this problem will plague mobile device users for years to come.
Remote Device Hacking and Eavesdropping
Android devices have gained a huge following in recent years. They’re easy to customize… and easy to hack. If a handset includes preloaded apps that haven’t been validated by Google, then it’s a security risk.
Hong sees the proliferation of Android devices as being directly related to the rise of man in the middle attacks (MiTM) on mobile devices. During an MiTM attack, the hacker intercepts data traveling over unsecured wireless networks.
Mobile Data Risks in Healthcare
Many healthcare providers now use mobile devices. These devices enable them to deliver better care to their patients. Mobile devices also represent an enormous security risk.
Security expert Chris Bowen cites several threats to mobile devices used in the healthcare field: employees not adhering to policies, infrequent patching, misconfiguring servers, accidentally posting private information, and security testing that uses live personal information.
Bowen notes that healthcare provider organizations have a great deal of work to do in order to secure mobile devices. They need to invest in strong security tools and make sure that the correct patches are applied frequently. Furthermore, healthcare provider organizations must educate users about the importance of following policies and preserving private information.
Personal health information has high value to hackers, so expect mobile data risks to dog the healthcare industry for a long time.
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