Mobile Threats 2024
Lookout’s Q3 2024 Mobile Threat Landscape Report Reveals an increase in mobile threats targeting mobile devices.
Phishing and Malicious Web Content
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Phishing and credential theft attempts increased by 17% in the last quarter.
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Additionally, 473 million phishing and malicious sites have been detected globally since 2019.
Malicious Apps
iOS Device Risk Status
iOS devices are reportedly more vulnerable to phishing attacks than Android devices. In the first nine months of 2024, at least one phishing attack was reported on enterprise mobile devices:
Advanced Persistent Threats (APT)
Lookout has reported the detection of mobile surveillance software linked to advanced persistent threat groups originating from China and Russia. However, is it fair to place the blame solely on Eastern Bloc countries? Who’s to say that similar activities aren’t taking place in Western nations as well?
The fact that mobile operating systems come pre-installed on devices makes us dependent on these systems. When we buy a new device or update it, we unknowingly approve many permissions. Moreover, we cannot know that there are no intentions that go beyond their purpose in the applications we install. A popular game or a useful application can make our devices more vulnerable with third-party add-ons.
My Own Experience
I have started thinking more about these issues lately. When I noticed the permissions of an app that gave free coffee while installing it, I decided to install it on my second phone. It may seem like an exaggeration, but the idea of using two phones makes more sense to me now.