McAfee: Attacks against mobile devices will escalate in 2011

In the wake of a slight Android security hiccup, McAfee has released a report on mobile security, claiming the rise in popularity of the smartphone has made it an attractive proposition for cyber criminals.

'Attacks against mobile devices - including iPhones, Android devices, and more - will escalate in 2011 as criminals seek to tap into ‘fragile cellular infrastructure’ to access often unencrypted business and corporate communications.'

The Mobile and Security report, which was split into two surveys - one for consumers, and the other for senior IT decision makers in companies with an employee count of over 100, outlines a general lack of awareness for keeping mobile data safe.

Although more than half of organisations are 'heavily reliant on the use of mobile devices', and 95 per cent have some sort of mobile security policy in place, less than one in three employees are aware of it.

Worse still, less than 50 per cent of employees 'understand their mobile device access/permissions.

'Unless the device belongs to a large company, with a security policy in place, users tend to use their own device to accomplish job tasks and are not aware of the risks they are incurring,' says Monica Mistretta, owner of Mexican publishing company Netmedia.

Because of the number of mobile platforms out there, companies usually opt for one platform - perhaps unsurprisingly, BlackBerry is still the most supported platform for business use, at 56 per cent support - but are understand enforcing this is difficult.

'Most organizations are aware that it will be increasingly challenging to restrict employees to use only the company-issued smart phones,' says Satish Joshi, Executive Vice President of Patni Computer Systems.

'They appreciate the enhanced security risks involved with allowing employees to bring their own devices, however, the exact nature of the risks and their potential impact is perhaps not fully understood.'

Compounding the problem is the shift in work patterns. It isn't uncommon for some users to use their mobile as a primary work device, and with four in ten using a personal phone at work, it makes it a lot easier for attacks to happen - particularly when there is no vetting of something like application downloads.

Although mobile security is a major problem and one that is only set to increase based on the current trajectory of smartphone adoption, losing your phone is still the biggest fear for consumers and IT directors, alike.

Considering a third of organisations saw a financial impact after lost or stolen data, it isn't suprising.

Just what sort of data is McAfee talking about?

According to the report, 19 per cent of users store credit card details on their phone. Alarmingly, 23 per cent store passwords and pin codes as well, without any form of remote locking or a password lock on a device to keep the thief away from your details.

How can you keep yourself safe, or at least safer, from the threat of cyber attacks?

McAfee recommends a number of options, one of which obviously points towards its security products. Marketing aside, the ability to wipe a handset remotely from your PC or Mac is extremely useful and can be a real life-saver.

Not all options cost money, though. Common sense can go a long way, as with most problems.

'Take steps to secure your device. Install anti-theft technology, and back up your data. Configure your device to auto-lock after a period of time. Don’t store data you can’t afford to lose or have others access on an insecure device,' the report advises.

Our two cents? Regardless of your platform, you are no more or less immune than anyone else. Be mindful of what you download, trust your instincts. If something looks or sounds dodgy, it probably is, so do some research.

And we can't stress this enough, save your internet banking for when you are at home or on a secure network. It may sound like scare-mongering but you really never know who is watching. The bottom line is - do you really want to buy a fridge-freezer for someone you've never met?