Top 5 Mobile Security Threats 2013

Today I will expand further on Security threat for specifically mobile devices using Andriod's Operating System.

A quick refresher from my last blog where I discussed the most likely security threats for anybody using a mobile device (Smartphone or Tablet)

- Toll Fraud
- Ransomware
- Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD)
- "Drive-by Exploits"
- Mobile Payments via NFC

TOLL FRAUD:
(SMS Text)  Everybody with a mobile or smartphone receives txt message like "Text 3030 to get your daily weather forecast on your phone" you want it? You text back the number and you receive your daily weather forecast.
This is called PREMIUM SMS as in this figure >>>>>>






Toll Fraud occurs as displayed in the below graph. It is successfull and it happens to more and more users

1. A customer downloads an app that sends out an SMS message to that same ringtone provider.
2. The ringtone provider sends the confirmation message, but instead of reaching the smartphone owner, the malware blocks and confirms the text message before the user ever knows.
3. The malware writers further jumps in between the wireless carrier and the ringtone provider, pretending to be an aggregator, and collects the money you just paid through your bill. 

Ransomware:

What is Ransomware? Ransomware traditionally would infect PC's (via a trojan) and demand a ransom to unlock.  For Hackers it is a proven business model on pc's and now has set its sights on Mobile Devices Users. 

2013 Rising Mobile Security Threats

After my last blog I started to brainstorm about the level and what type of security risks M-Commerce and Social Commerce need to mitigate or assure. Given the rise of sales in Smartphones and Tablets and the immense volume of downloadable applications and increasing volume of apps being developed, (personal) data and the protection of it will be key for any business to succeed. 

In this blog I will provide a bit more background on the type of security issues M-Commerce & M-Users are exposed.
Furthermore I will try to provide some information on who are what creates those threats and what the key drivers are. To finalize a current overview of the business practices and which security gaps need to be closed fast.

M-Commerce & Social Commerce: The New Frontier?

In my last blog I went into the Rise of M-Commerce and the huge potential it has. To support my believe, the below graphs support it and detail it!