Cyber Attack on a Corporate Smartphone. How to Protect Yourself

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According to the "Cybersecurity of Endpoint Devices Post-2022" report by Digital Poland, attacks on the public sector infrastructure increased by 500%, and 58% of organizations reported security breaches. Attacks, fraud, and scams—often aided by artificial intelligence—are expected to rise in 2024. Mobile users, particularly those using Android, which holds 72% of the market, are especially vulnerable.

Most Common Cyber Threats

The most common cyber threats to mobile devices include:

• Phishing and Pharming: pretending to be a trusted source to obtain confidential information.
• Malware: malicious software, viruses, and Trojans that enable unauthorized access to devices.
• Ransomware: software that locks access to systems and demands a ransom for unlocking.
• Man-in-the-Middle: intercepting and modifying network traffic in unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
• Juice Jacking: data theft from smartphones via fake chargers in public places.

"In the context of mobile devices for business, it’s essential to alert employees to follow basic security principles. First, only download apps from reputable stores—Google Play for Android. Second, avoid suspicious links, even from known contacts. Third, verify sender email addresses carefully," advises Monika Czech, KNOX Focus Sales Specialist at KOMSA Poland. "Cybercriminals can be very creative. For example, a phishing email may come from a domain ending in .corn instead of .com—easy to miss on first glance. Fourth, use password managers and create strong, unique passwords for each service. In Poland, the most popular password is still `123456.` Lastly, enable two-factor authentication. This is a good place to start individually."

Hardware and Software Protections

In addition to best practices, companies should use both hardware and software solutions to secure mobile devices. Reputable manufacturers offer built-in security measures at the chipset level, which protect against unauthorized OS rollbacks and encrypt sensitive data.

Additionally, specialized software for IT administrators (Mobile Device Management) allows management of device fleets, detection of tampering attempts, and other security measures.

"While a private user may benefit from good practices and antivirus software, businesses should also consider systemic solutions. Training staff alone is insufficient. After all, an organization`s reputation and potential financial losses are at stake," says Monika Czech of KOMSA Poland. "Comprehensive protection options are available on the Polish market, such as Samsung Knox, which offers both hardware and software security. The effectiveness of this security platform is underscored by the fact that Poland`s Internal Security Agency (ABW) has certified it for cryptographic protection, covering selected security mechanisms."

Mobile device cyber threats pose an increasing challenge for businesses. With attacks expected to rise in 2024, it is crucial to implement appropriate protections at both user and organizational levels.

Source: Newseria Lifestyle