24/07/2014
How to Protect Your Smartphone from a Virus or Attack
Protecting your Smartphone isn’t as simple as finding a durable case and buying a protection plan.
Precautions
When it comes to protecting your Smartphone from malicious attacks, there are a variety of precautions you can take to keep your phone and your personal data safe. The following table details these specific precautions and how to enable them on the respective Smartphone.
Precaution How it Helps Android BlackBerry OS iOS/iPhone Windows 7
Lock Screen Prevents anyone from accessing your phone and phone data if phone is left unattended or stolen. Settings > Location and Security >Set up Screen Lock Options > Security Options > General Settings > Password Settings > General > Passcode lock Settings > Lock and Wallpaper
Backup and Sync Allows you to backup information, and restore to a previous version. Settings > Privacy > Back Up My Data Backup from desktop software. Backup to iTunes each time phone is connected to computer. MobileMe is a paid option. Currently does not offer backup.
Check for Updates Download and install operating system updates, including security improvements Settings > About phone > System updates Connect phone to computer, then visit the BlackBerry Update page. Click on Check for Updates. Connect to computer and run iTunes Phone will notify you of updates. To install, connect to computer and run Zune software.
Turn Off Bluetooth Discovery Bluetooth discovery mode (usually on by default) detects other bluetooth devices. Leaving this on results in unauthorized access to the phone via bluetooth. Settings > Wireless and networks > Bluetooth settings > Discoverable Options > Bluetooth > Menu Button > Options Settings > General > Bluetooth *Note: Can’t turn Bluetooth discovery off, but it is only discoverable when on the Bluetooth settings menu. Settings > Bluetooth
*Note: Same as iPhone, only discoverable when in the Bluetooth menu.
Connect to secure Wi-Fi hotspots only. Unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots make it easier for hackers to access your smartphone because the connections are shared and unsecured. Connect via secured VPN, such as a corporate network, using specific settings, password. Settings > Wireless > Networks > VPN settings Options > Security Options > VPN Settings > General > Network > VPN Not supported
Do not jailbreak. Jailbreaking makes your phone more vulnerable to attack. If your phone has been jailbroken, restore the original security settings. *Same *Same *Same
Delete text spam or unknown texts. Do not reply. Text spam could have malware built into it. N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ignore/delete unknown or unprompted phone messages or links. Clicking links, unless you are sure of the secure environment, is another way to introduce viruses and spyware. N/A N/A N/A N/A
Monitor battery life When battery life goes quicker than usual, it may be the sign of malware operating on your smartphone. N/A N/A N/A N/A
Regularly review your phone bill Attackers can use a smartphone to make calls to paid services that show up on your bill. Be aware of calls made to unknown numbers. N/A N/A N/A N/A
Download apps only from trusted sources. iPhone and BlackBerry apps are rigorously monitored; however, Android apps pose the most risk, even when purchased from Android Market. Don’t blindly approve all permissions. Go through each one individually. *Same *Same *Same
Protective Software
As an ultimate line of defense against attacks on your smartphone, there are anti-malware products that are designed to protect the operating system.
AVG Mobilation (previously Droid Security)
This software is designed to preserve privacy, block hackers, scan for and remove viruses, and locate your phone if lost or stolen. Mobilation scans for malware, spyware, and viruses while you are using the phone. When malicious files are found, they can be removed with a click. The software also scans malicious content on the web, steering Smartphone users away from questionable websites.
Once the software is installed, the phone can also be located through Google Maps, should the phone become lost or stolen. Users are also able to set a remote lock function, which would prevent any person from accessing the information on the phone, should it be found. Additionally, the user can remotely wipe the phone of all personal information. The software includes an SMS scanner, which notifies the user of any suspicious text messages.
This protection is for Android only and is installed as an app. There is a free version and a paid version which is $9.99, in 2012. The paid version, in addition to the features described for the free version, claims to optimize the phone’s performance.
F-Secure
Made for Android, Symbian, and Windows mobile, this software includes protection against malware, a firewall, protection while browsing the Web and the tools necessary for remotely locating and wiping data off of a lost or stolen phone. F - Secure also has the ability to prevent unwanted calls and SMS messages, and protect younger users from unsuitable web content and applications. In addition, the software has the capability to locate another person (namely a child) via his or her mobile device. A subscription to the service is required; however, users are able to try the product for free.
Kaspersky
The Kaspersky mobile security software includes protection from malware, automatic scanning of apps, a firewall, blocking of unwanted calls and text messages, and anti-theft tools. Similar to the two other security options, users can remotely lock their phone, find their missing phone via Google Maps, and clean their phone should it not be recovered. Kaspersky differs from the other software suites in that it offers "privacy protection." The added features include controlling what others can see on your phone and hiding certain contacts, calls, texts, and logs. Kaspersky software is made for Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, and Windows Mobile for a fee of $30 per year, in 2012.
Lookout
Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile users can take advantage of the security provided by Lookout. The software offers anti-malware, backup, and restore services, as well as the ability to remotely lock and wipe the phone, and make the phone "scream." The scream is an alarm that can be set off remotely, even if the phone is on silent. Because some phones do not automatically backup when synced, Lookout’s backup feature allows users to restore any lost data, pictures, contacts, and other information, should a new phone have to be purchased. Lookout offers a free basic version and a paid subscription for the full version.
Symantec
Well known to PC users as anti-virus software developers, Symantec also offers a mobile version: Norton Mobile Security. This version provides protection from malware, includes a firewall, spam text blocking, and the ability to remotely lock and wipe. Norton Mobile Security is designed for Android users only
Webroot
Created for Android, the Webroot Secure Anywhere Mobile Premier Android app protects identity and personal information. The software also blocks threats and viruses, should they infect the operating system, in addition to remote location controls. In 2012, Webroot is priced for $19.99 per year. There is also a Webroot version created for iOS. Webroot SecureWeb provides browsing protection for iPhones, including safe online transactions and blocking from unsafe URLs. This app can be downloaded for free in the Apple App store.
