As the world continues to transition into a digital age, mobile devices have become an essential part of everyday life. Unfortunately, this has also caused an increase in malicious software, also known as malware. Mobile malware is a specific type of malicious software that is specifically designed to target mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It can be used to steal personal information, spread spam, and even take control of a device. In this article, we will take a look at the different types of mobile malware and the impact it has had on users over the past few years.
Types of Mobile Malware
When it comes to the types of mobile malware that are out there, there are many different variants. The two most common types of mobile malware are Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.Fakeapp and Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.Agent.aas, with 8.65% and 6.01% respectively. These types of malware are designed to send out fraudulent text messages in order to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims. They can also be used to spread spam messages or take control of a user’s device. Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.Agent.acq is the eleventh most common type of mobile malware, accounting for 1.34%. This type of malware is used to steal user data, such as passwords and credit card information.
Kaspersky mobile security users experienced the most attacks from DangerousObject.Multi.Generic and Trojan.AndroidOS.Generic, which accounted for 18.97% and 6.70% respectively. DangerousObject.Multi.Generic is a type of malware that is designed to download malicious files onto a user’s device without their knowledge or consent. Trojan.AndroidOS.Generic is used to gain control of a user’s device and steal personal information from it.
In fifth place was Trojan.AndroidOS.Fakemoney,d (4,65%), which tries to con people into thinking they are completing an application for a welfare payment. The sixth and eleventh most prevalent categories were Trojan Android OS GriftHorse family (4,32% and 2%), which sign users up for premium SMS services without their knowledge or consent. Other common types include ransomware, adware, worms and phishing scams that target mobile devices for malicious purposes.
Increase in Mobile Banking Trojans
In the past six years, mobile banking Trojans have seen a dramatic increase in prevalence, with an increase of 100%. In 2021, 196,476 installers were detected, making it one of the most prevalent types of mobile malware in circulation today. Mobile banking Trojans are designed to steal personal information from users when they access their banking apps on their devices, making them particularly dangerous for those who are unaware of their existence. These Trojans are usually distributed via malicious websites or malicious apps that masquerade as legitimate ones. Once downloaded onto the user’s device, the Trojan will gain access to the user’s banking information and use it to make unauthorized transactions or purchases without their knowledge or consent. To make matters worse, these Trojans have become increasingly sophisticated and can even modify a user’s banking app to display fake pages that ask for personal details such as usernames, passwords and credit card numbers in order to commit fraud and identity theft on unsuspecting victims.
Impact on Users
The impact of mobile malware on users has been immense over the past few years with many people falling victim to these malicious programs due to their lack of awareness and understanding of the risks involved when installing apps or browsing the web on their mobile devices. The damage caused by these malicious programs can range from stolen data to financial losses due to fraudulent transactions made using the victim’s personal information or financial details that were stolen from their device.
Protecting Yourself Against Mobile Malware
Fortunately, there are steps that users can take in order to protect themselves against mobile malware and reduce the risk of falling victim to it:
• Always install apps from reputable sources – Many malicious apps masquerade as legitimate ones so it is important to only install apps from trusted sources such as the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
• Keep your device updated – Make sure that you always keep your device up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates available from your device manufacturer or service provider
• Use anti-virus software – Anti-virus software can help detect malicious software on your device so make sure you install one
• Be aware of phishing scams – Phishing scams often masquerade as legitimate emails or messages asking for personal information so be aware of any suspicious emails or messages you receive
Conclusion
Mobile malware is a growing problem that affects users all over the world and can cause serious damage if not properly protected against or taken seriously. It is important for users to be aware of the different types of mobile malware and take steps to protect themselves against it by using anti-virus software, keeping their devices up-to-date with security patches, installing apps only from trusted sources and being aware of phishing scams that could be targeting them for malicious purposes.
