It’s hard to believe the modern-day smartphone or tablet is considered a threat to our security. It is becoming increasingly clear that hackers are actively targeting these devices to exploit their weaknesses and easily steal valuable data.
The days when a mobile phone or tablet was considered perfectly safe are slowly disappearing: it is becoming increasingly clear that hackers are now paying close attention to mobile devices. For example, the number of attacks specifically targeting phones has quintupled in two months compared to February.
Moreover, as they are communication devices, it is relatively easy to deliver the bait: potential victims can be approached via SMS or Messenger messages. Analysis shows that the malware distributed using this method is capable of various tricks. They can steal login credentials, but they can also be used to record audio or video, for example, secretly. Another popular source is the Play Store, although the chances of infection are lower.
Did you know?
The first mobile phone was created in 1973 by Martin Cooper, a researcher from Motorola. It was called the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, and it weighed about 22 pounds. The device’s size was also huge and had to be held up to an ear with one hand. Although it was bigger than today’s phones, it did not have many options for customization because there were no color options at that time.
This wireless technology became popular in the 1980s due to cellular phones.