More than 10% of mobile users are unprotected from phishing attempts, according to a study released by Flash networks today. The attacks are becoming increasingly severe and common, exposing subscribers to an increasing risk of identity theft.
Flash Networks is one of a number of companies offering solutions for detecting and preventing threats that target mobile devices. For example, its xtraArmor product helps mobile operators protect against threats such as advanced phishing, viruses, malware, etc.
Three percent of all domains mobile users in the study visited were considered “suspicious,” and 60% of suspicious domains are connected to phishing. Exposure to potential phishing attempts -- the fraudulent practice of sending emails claiming to be from reputable companies to persuade individuals to reveal personal data -- is on the rise, with 10% of mobile subscribers visiting suspicious domains a minimum of once a month.
Just one mistaken click can lead to not only identity theft, but spyware and ransomware as well. The study also stressed the dynamic nature of the security threats. While phishing attempts may occur at one location and target a particular group, a major shift in the demographics of phishing attempts may be seen at a different location at a different time. Successful protection solutions should employ multi-layered detection technologies, including advanced heuristics, behavior analysis and machine learning.
