- There is more mobile malware than ever before. In 2011, there was a record number of mobile malware attacks – particularly on the Google Android platform. The combination of Google Android’s dominant market share and the lack of control over the applications appearing in the various Android application stores created a perfect storm, giving malware developers the means and incentive to focus on the platform.
- Mobile malware has gotten smarter. Malicious actors continue to hone their craft by finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities and human behavior for profit across all mobile platforms and devices. In addition, the growing focus on security by researchers demonstrates the maturation of mobile security as an issue of concern for the business community as a whole. There is a low barrier to entry. Applications are turning out to be the “killer app” for hackers — and application stores are fast becoming the prime delivery mechanism for infected applications.
- Mobile users are downloading applications more than ever before. As we have seen a boom in the number of application developers, we have also seen a flood in the number of attackers. Juniper MTC data shows an evolution from more sophisticated, complex and deep attacks to attacks that are lightweight, fast, and application-based.
Hackers Going After Phones and Tablets
Smartphones and tablets are hackers' newest targets. Why? Because as the legendary bank robber Willie Sutton supposedly said, "That's where the money is." The annual Juniper Mobile Threats Report has some troubling findings: