Smartphone’s are taking the lead of windows based computers and laptops, which account for 60% of the malware activity observed in the mobile space, according to latest Nokia Intelligence Report.
The data is aggregated as a result of the findings from Nokia’s security centre in Berlin, which looked at over 100 million devices, where Nokia malware detection technology is deployed.
Malware is a malicious software that is specifically designed to gain access or damage a computer without the knowledge of the owner or user and one of the most popular ways to spread malware is by e-mail, which may be disguised to look as if it is from a familiar source e.g. bank, claiming that “unauthorized charges” were made on your credit card and you need to immediately verify your information, or it might even be a personal email from a friend, telling you to follow a link.
Android is most targeted because its ecosystem is open; hence, Craig Young, security researcher at threat Detection Company Tripwire, has warned, “Anyone who wants to avoid infection is well advised to be very cautious about installing apps.
“Security is a very real concern for any device with an IP address, be it Android, IPhones or even a Windows PC connected to the mobile network. While Android infections continue to rise and become more sophisticated, the Nokia Threat Intelligence Report from late 2015 was the first time we saw iOS malware make our top 20 list, with XcodeGhost being the fourth most prevalent malware detected. We also saw a rise in a variety of ransom ware apps that try to extort money by claiming to have encrypted the phone’s data. Nokia’s security approach reaches into the network to stop malware before getting to the device itself and before damage can occur,” Kevin McNamee, head of the Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab, said.
OMOBOLAJI DAVID-OJUMU
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