Android malware has increased by nearly 63 percent
between 2012 and 2013, say a new report by ESET, which provides anti-virus
software and Internet protection.
The reports also state that
not only is Android the market leader in Mobile OS but the most attacked
as well. The number of malware types has also increased. The report points out
that in 2010 there were only three families of Malware for Android, this had
increased to 51 families reported in 2011; 63 families reported in 2012; and 79
as of October 2013.
This isn’t the first report
to highlight the problematic connection between Android and malware. A kaspersky secruity report had said in that
ninety-nine percent of newly discovered mobile malicious programs target the
Android platform.
And given that Android
controls nearly 80 percents of the smartphone market, the spam and malware
problem needs to be taken seriously. So what can users do to protect their
mobile phones? Here are some tips.
• Lock your screen with a Pin or
password: This
might sound like an unnecessary hassle, but once you’re using your Android, use
the lock screen by giving PIN or password instead of going for patterns.
• Protect apps: Install ‘App Lock’ to protect individual
apps. This can be particularly useful for personal apps such as email, Face
book, Twitter etc and ensure that if the phone does get into the wrong hands,
they can’t access the app without the required password.
• If you’re sharing any
devices, be careful with Google Now as it is linked to your Gmail account.
• Using your Android for work: It’s best to talk to your IT department
first as nearly 30-40 percent of devices in workplaces fly “under the radar” of
threats unless users are educated about risks.
• Google’s Android Device Manager
Page is
particularly useful to activate especially when you’ve lost the phone. You can
provides more options by logging into your Google account, and you will be able
to force a device on silent mode to ring, remote-lock a device, and view its
location on a map.
• Keeping
sensitive information on your Smartphone such as Bank account, etc: Make sure not to store it on a removable SD
card, which makes it easier for attackers to access data from SD card. Store
this data in internal memory with strong password.
• Encrypting your phone
WILL slow it down, but it will keep your data safe: You can activate this by
going to Settings/Security/Encryption in your Android. Choose Encrypt Device
and Encrypt External SD Card, and then wait while the device crunches your
data.
• Rooting your Android might not
be the best solution: Rooting
a phone opens users up to new risks and cuts off many of the protections built
into Android itself. Malicious apps with root access can cause far more damage
than normal ones.
• Google’s Play store:
Don’t download everything you see there. More importantly don’t download apps
from ‘unofficial’ stores
• Permissions: Read the “permissions” screen EVERY time you
install an app
• Banking apps:
These are important apps and you should only install them from the official
Google Play Store. It’s recommended that you don’t ever install a banking app
from a link that emailed or sent via SMS.
• Mobile Payments: You should be extremely careful while making
mobile payments since you are store information about your debit or credit card
on the phone.
