Hacher with a mask is using laptop.
With the turn of the year came a new wave of cyber threats with it too.
There was a time when hackers were always going after users of desktop computers. These days, they would instead go for mobile users since this market share keeps rising. In the mobile market, too, Android is the leader – and by far.
This is why Android users need to know the various threats that they could be up against, as well as what they can do to prevent it.
Threat #1 – Out of Date Devices
Your device starts getting out of date with every turn of the calendar. We should not be the ones to tell you this since you will usually see your OEM come out with another device to rival the one in your hands just a year after. That is if they wait for the year to turn.
However, while your hardware might still handle all that you throw at it, the same is not valid for your software.
Flagships might get some upgrades to the software, but they will soon become obsolete too.
With every passing year, too, the security issues that have been fixed on new software versions will remain on the old ones. Thus, the only way to get out of this breach bracket is to upgrade your device to the latest one.
Threat #2 – Social Engineering
Everyone is concerned about malware-based hacks and attacks, but what about the ones that do not use any malware at all? This is the category where social engineering falls.
Social engineering can occur in several ways, but the underlying principle remains the same. Here, the hacker impersonates a legal entity to play tricks on the unsuspecting user so that they can obtain sensitive information from them.
In most cases, this kind of hack will aim to get password information, proprietary information to advance the hack, or even money from the unsuspecting victim.
The best way to kick against the excesses of these hacks is by vetting all communications to ensure they come from who it is claimed to come from. That will help cut back on impersonation tactics.
Likewise, be careful of clicking links and entering your sensitive details in them. No self-respecting business will require that you send them confidential information over mail/ SMS/ phone call.
Threat #3 – Man in the middle attacks
It has always been recommended that you not connect to Wi-Fi networks of any kind. That is not because we don’t want you to enjoy the convenience and zero cost that they come with, but because we know that you are paying more than you are getting from these networks.
One of the deadliest threats that you can face from these networks is dubbed man in the middle attacks. Occurring when you connect to a rogue Wi-Fi network, the network provider automatically becomes the man in the middle of your connection to any server that you are accessing.
This means that they now get to see the websites you are surfing, your chats/ conversations, and more. The worst part is that the hacker can use such a position to install malware on your device too.
Besides that, they could also hijack your conversations, pretend to be you, and obtain sensitive information/ trick the person you are chatting with.
If you find yourself in a position where you have to use public Wi-Fi networks, always use a VPN for your Android device. That way, your internet connection stays encrypted, keeping anyone from seeing what you are doing on the web.
Final Words
It has already been established that no less than one billion Android devices are at risk of getting hacked. This might include your device too, but that doesn’t mean you have to take numbers lying down.
With the tips above, you can make sure that you don’t become yet another number in the statistics.
