For a lot of us, “compromised smartphone security” is basically synonymous with “time to run another malware scan”, and as such, we view security threats more as inconveniences rather than the dangers they really are.
Maybe the problem is that we aren’t fully aware of what hackers can really do with our smartphones. It’s one thing to learn about common smartphone security risks, but if that knowledge stays abstract, it does you no good.
So to get you thinking the right way, here are some real examples in which your smartphone can be hacked and used against you, and I promise you’ll start thinking of smartphone security as an everyday necessity rather than just for the paranoid.
Not long ago, a researcher discovered a zero-day exploit in the (at the time) latest version of Chrome for Android — an exploit that granted the hacker full access to the smartphone’s root operating system and worked on every version of Android.
It has already been reported to Google (and yes, the researcher picked up a large security bounty payout for it) so it should be patched soon enough, but this just goes to show how much control a hacker can get. Full root access!
What’s most interesting is that this particular exploit didn’t come from a app-related malware infection. It was simply an overlooked vulnerability in the JavaScript V8 engine that Chrome uses. So no matter what you think you know about smartphone security, surprises are always waiting around the corner.
Around the same time that the above-mentioned Chrome exploit was publicized, another vulnerability came to light — but this particular issue only affected Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, and Note 4 devices. Still, lots of people use those phones, so millions were affected.
Long story short, by using a man-in-the-middle attack, hackers were able to connect the device to fake cellular base stations and thus intercept incoming and outgoing voice calls. After intercepting, hackers could potentially listen to, and even record, said calls.
The setup of the exploit is a bit too complicated for any regular hacker working on his own to set up, but the scary thing is that there’d be no way for the end user to know that something is amiss.
Back in 2011 when the iPhone 4 was the phone to own, a computer scientist from Georgia Tech experimented with the built-in accelerometer and found that he could read computer keystrokes from nothing more than desk vibrations. In fact, his accuracy was just over 80 percent.
This particular issue is easily circumvented — all you have to do is keep your phone off your computer desk — but it goes to show how clever and innovative hackers can be.
Another example is PlaceRaider, which was a military app that secretly took snapshots of your surrounding (using the smartphone’s camera) and could use those images to rebuild your environment in virtual 3D.
How could this be abused? Imagine if a hacker managed to upload this kind of malware onto your phone, used it to replicate your home, and used that as a way to spot valuable objects worth stealing? But of course the real creepy factor here is the invasion of privacy.
Speaking of home robberies, there are more angles to consider when thinking about the safety of your home in relation to your smartphone — especially if you’re invested in smart home products or the Internet of Things at home.
To be fair, smart home automation isn’t inherently insecure. With the right precautions, you can have a smart home that’s properly protected and impervious to most common threats. Don’t let the potential for hacking deter you from exploring the possibilities of a smart home.
But that being said, just as any Internet-connected device can be compromised, so too can smart home products — and your smartphone is the weakest link.
For example, if you have a smart home security system that’s controlled by your smartphone, imagine what could happen if a hacker gained remote control access to your device. They might be able to unlock doors, disable cameras, or worse.
In 2013, a new kind of malware hit the Web. Essentially, this malicious scam would lock down your computer and force you to pay a fee to regain control of your system. It’s called ransomware and is one of the worst kinds of malware out there.
In 2014, ransomware hit Android in the form of an FBI warning that accused you of breaking the law (such as claiming you had child pornography on your device) and demanded a fine to avoid jail. As you might expect, plenty of people paid the fine out of sheer surprise and fear.
Removing ransomware is possible but also a pain. The key is to be wary of what ransomware looks like so you can identify it and keep yourself protected from it.
2014 was a bad year for customer data security. Companies like Target, AT&T, and eBay all suffered data breaches, resulting in a lot of stolen identities. And though it would be nice to say that these incidents are ramping down, that would just be a bold-faced lie.
The truth is, smartphones can lead to identity theft in a lot of ways these days, and one of the bigger risks lies in NFC technology (also called “bumping”). Essentially, hackers can bump your device without you realizing it, and by doing so, they can intercept sensitive data.
Worried that your identity might’ve been stolen? Stay up to date with these warning signs of digital identity theft and respond accordingly if you notice anything off or suspicious.
Sometimes hackers don’t really want the data on your device — instead, they just want to use your device as a minion for their own nefarious purposes. With the right malware installed, your smartphone could turn into a zombie.
In 2012, the NotCompatible Trojan for Android turned all infected devices into one massive botnet, making it easy for hackers to use those devices in sending out all kinds of spam. But in 2014, it evolved and became a little scarier with the potential to launch targeted attacks and bring down networks.
This kind of attack is called a distributed denial-of-service attack and botnets are famous for it. Your smartphone could be a zombie and you might not even realize it.
Obviously, these exploits and vulnerabilities are way more than simple inconveniences. If something like these happens to you, it can be quite serious. That’s why it’s so important to stay vigilant and learn how to protect yourself.
At the very least, you should change your bad security habits right away — nothing will improve your safety more than that — but you should also internalize these common smartphone security mistakes.
Have you ever had to deal with a seriously compromised device? What happened? What advice would you give to others? Share with us in the comments below!
Image Credits: Hacker with question mark by designelements via Shutterstock, Chrome Mobile App by Alexander Supertramp via Shutterstock, Samsung Galaxy S6 by Zeynep Demir via Shutterstock, iPhone on Desk by Daria Minaeva via Shutterstock, Smart Home Phone by Alexander Kirch via Shutterstock, Locked Smartphone by wk1003mike via Shutterstock, Smartphone NFC by LDprod via Shutterstock, Global Network by Milles Studio via Shutterstock
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