Five signs to check for Android users
Phone hacking: Five signs to check for Android usersSource: Shutterstock
- Phone hacking is common, especially among Android devices, so users need to check now and then for signs of device compromise.
- Hackers often target Android devices as its operating system powers many mobile devices today.
Hacking of a phone is more commonplace today than it ever was before, and a check online shows that devices powered by the Android operating system are still far more vulnerable than its counterpart, the iOS. Android has had a long journey toward securing its app store, the Play Store since developers are granted more freedom.
For starters, Android’s open Google Play Store marketplace has far more apps to choose from than Apple’s App Store. Android devices also rely on open-source code, meaning that the owners of these devices can tinker with the operating system of their phones and tablets.
But, hacking is more possible if the phone runs on Android, and without proper checking, there’s a far greater chance that hackers can distribute malware through malicious apps. Statistics over the years also prove that Android remains the top target for internet attacks despite the progress in security measures.
To top it off, since the world has mainly gone mobile, so have fraudsters. Of the world’s cyberattacks, around 60% are initiated on mobile devices, according to RSA Security. What is more alarming is the fact that about 80% of attacks against mobile devices take place via apps.
A separate statistic by Kaspersky shows that over 98% of mobile banking attacks target Android devices, which is no surprise. “Android is the most popular mobile platform in the world (over 80% of the global smartphone market). Also, Android is the only popular mobile platform that allows users to side-load software,” Kaspersky said.
As for iOS, every app on the Apple App Store has always been closely inspected, to begin with. That practice has reduced the number of apps available and helped reduce malware-riddled apps and security issues. But iOS being considered more secure doesn’t mean cybercriminals can’t hit Apple devices with malicious software.
