What is mobile malware? Where does it come from? How does it get into your phone? These questions are just beginning to surface in the public mindset as splashy headlines warn smartphone users of the dangers lurking to take over their shiny, new mobile device. Security company BullGuard came up with a very informative infographic that shows where mobile malware comes from and how it spreads. Mobile malware does not come from malevolent a cupid shooting poison arrows into users’ phones. Like PC viruses, malicious mobile programs are perpetrated by people that control botnets and want the information stored in your smartphone for their own means.
Mobile malware can come from just about any vector you could think of. It lurks in application stores (especially third-party stores), text messages, emails, websites, search results and images. Some malware can snoop your device if you are on an insecure public Wi-Fi channel. Take a look at the infographic below and let us know what steps you take to protect your smartphone from those who would do it harm.
Several months ago we posted an infrographic titled “Where Does Your Malware Come From?” Just as with that infographic, we made sure to fact check this infographic (you would be surprised how much false, old or half-information these infographic makers try to slip by busy tech reporters) and the numbers check out. We have written about much of what is in the infographic over the last several months. See the very bottom of the image for BullGuard’s sources, though note that no other security company is listed as a source of the information in the image. It looks like BullGuard has superseded some of the research of its competitors while still remaining technically accurate by sourcing it to various research organizations and institutions such as Juniper and the University of Virginia.
Check it out and tell us what you think:
