SkipToMainContent

Mobile

Mobile security 101


Written by a NortonLifeLock employee

 

Personal data stored on your smartphone is often worth more than the smartphone itself. This truth can also be applied to laptops and tablets. With the advent of smartphones and mobile technology, more people are holding potential security threats right in the palms of their hands.

Help protect your digital life on your devices.

Are you afraid of losing your personal information or all the precious things on your computer? Get comprehensive protection with Norton Security Deluxe across all your devices – up to 5 PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets.
Create an account today and try it free for 30 days on up to 5 of your devices.

Mobile technology has seeped into every corner of our daily lives, serving a wide array of tasks including GPS, entertainment, storage, and more. While the functionalities of mobile phones are endless, the risks to our personal privacy are very real.

Mobile Security

As we store more sensitive information on our mobile devices, maintaining the security of that data becomes more crucial. From personal photos and addresses to credit card info and phone numbers, hackers who gain access to our phones have more personal information available to them now than ever before.

Mobile attacks can be classified into four types, including OS attacks, app attacks, malware related attacks, and communication based attacks, such as those on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

OS attacks exploit the gaps found at the OS level. App attacks are typically a result of bad development and coding. Attacks on communication networks happen when users log into an unsecure or faulty network. Malware attacks, which are increasing in numbers, can steal your photos, hijack your camera, and erase important files.

Changing Times

Mobile security breaches are a lot different from attacks on your desktop. For one thing, there is no such thing as logging in anymore. Users do not log into their devices, making accessing and sharing data between different applications problematic

In addition to your personal pictures, contacts, and files, mobile applications also store sensitive info such as passwords, authentication tokens, and more. It’s critical that you protect these files so hackers do not gain access to your personal accounts.

Unlike desktop users, mobile users cannot see the entire URL of a site they are visiting. This paves the way for digital crooks to use phishing attacks against unknowing users.

Fortifying Mobile Security Governance

There are steps that you can take to ensure your mobile devices are secure. The first step is to know exactly what data is being collected by apps you use, including contacts, photos, Internet data, and call logs. You should also understand how your data is being used by these applications.

Use different passwords for different apps and sites. Make your passwords long and complicated, including letters, numbers, and symbols. To add a second layer of protection, use a two-factor identification system.

Never use an unsecure Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection and update your operating system and apps whenever a new version becomes available.

It is possible to protect yourself and boost mobile security. By thoroughly understanding the risks and taking the proper precautions, you can maintain your privacy and security.
 

Safety for every device.

Security is no longer a one-machine affair. You need a security suite that helps protect all your devices – your Windows PC, Mac, Android smartphone or your iPad.

Try for 30 days before you buy with Norton Security Deluxe – helps protect up to 5 of your devices for one low price.

Copyright © 2023 NortonLifeLock Inc. All rights reserved. NortonLifeLock, the NortonLifeLock Logo, the Checkmark Logo, Norton, LifeLock, and the LockMan Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NortonLifeLock Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. Android, Google Chrome, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, LLC. Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Microsoft and the Window logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.