We all know about making sure your computer has all the necessary tools installed for maximum protection, so no one would think twice about adding antivirus protection to a desktop or laptop. But what about the computer that you carry around all day long – your smartphone?
There is a wealth of information stored on your smartphone that criminals would love to get their hands on. In a world that is constantly connected online and new cybersecurity threats arising all the time, your smartphone is a prime target for nefarious activity. But just what kind of protection do you need for your smartphone?
Viruses on a Smartphone?
Many people are not aware that a smartphone can get a virus. The code used to infiltrate a smartphone is known as malware which can either establish malicious programs or unwanted applications on your phone. In both cases, the situation can become very troublesome. Here are some of the ways you could find yourself with an infected smartphone:
- Infectious code can make its way onto your smartphone through a website you visit or an untrusted Wi-Fi network. You may unwittingly enter vital personal information that criminals are hoping for.
- Apps you load can contain adware that searches for the information it’s designed to gather from all parts of your phone. These can then trick you into trusting emails or other communication attempts leading you down a destructive path before you even realize what’s happening.
- Websites and apps could also install software on your smartphone to work in the background collecting all kinds of interesting data or even running off your system to process information or establish attacks on other sources.
It’s important to only download apps from trusted locations so you know what you’re getting without the bonus of fraudulent software.
Don’t Click That
Anytime you get what might seem like a harmless email or text message that appears to come from a company you know and trust, think again. These messages can have attachments in them that are harmful to the security of your phone. Be diligent about these messages or any popups that ask for permission to access certain parts of your phone. You might be handing over all your information so don’t click that.
What Antivirus Can Protect Your Smartphone?
The first thing to consider when protecting your data and your activity on your smartphone is having both hardware and software protection. Ensure your phone case offers the stability needed to keep the phone physically safe. As well, use a password manager so that you don’t have passwords written down or the same password for everything. That would leave you completely vulnerable to criminal activity.
As for antiviral software, today’s options offer artificial intelligence that operates using machine learning, so it can determine a threat and lock it down before it becomes a problem, even if you don’t initiate an update of your device.
Still not sure about the need for antivirus on your smartphone? Speak with Longhurst, the technology experts.
