Threats, vulnerabilities and cyber crimes: Is there any respite?
In a quarterly security research by TrendLabs, it has been observed that Android-based smartphones are more prone to cyber criminal attack than any other mobile operating systems. Also, whether you own a laptop, tablet, or a global positioning system (GPS) device, there seems to have a drawback in going mobile. The clear proof is the increased incidences of hacking by cyber criminals.
Hacking incidents so far
Cyber criminals always manage to find creative ways to break the security system of a computer and hide from law enforcement. In the quarter, Trend Micro Smart Protection Network has protected its product users against a total of 15.3 billion spam, 338.4 million malware, and 1.3 billion malicious URLs. The year 2012 has registered more high-profile data loss incidents through malware infection and hacking. Some of the notable incidents are the leakage of 8.24 million e-mail addresses of Gamigo, hacking of around 6 million passwords of LinkedIn users and 450,000 Yahoo! Voices users, and presence of Android malware in more than 100,000 devices.
What precautions should be observed?
According to a senior threat researcher at Trend Micro, you can enjoy a safe online journey if the following precautions are followed:
- Think before downloading any app on your mobile as that app has the potential to access your mobile data. Check the app developer’s reputation first.
- If you have any doubt while entering or giving your oversensitive information, then just don’t do it.
- Be careful while clicking or opening links on social media sites. Cyber criminals are always on the look out to hack social networking accounts as they not only plunder your friend’s e-mail address but also steal their credentials and send bad links.