My Smartphone?

On a daily basis, most of us communicate and do business on a smartphone. Which is basically, a mobile device that generally runs on an operating system, makes use of apps, web access, and the QWERTY keyboard. And "The number of users with mobile devices is expected to climb to 5.2 billion in 2017 from 4.3 billion in 2012 and traffic across high-speed 4G networks will grow 40-fold during that time" (Guglielmo). So, what does that mean?

Well, this means more targets for hackers to choose from. After all, a smartphone is essentially a miniature mobile computer. They both have processors, memory, and internet capabilities. And us smartphone users, never really take the time to think about the possibility of having our phones targeted by a cyber-attack. As "Security experts have warned for years that our smartphones are due for a major cyber-attack. Like PCs back in the early days -- the 1990s -- mobile phones are largely unprotected by antivirus software, and they're a treasure trove of valuable information" (Goldman).

And we as consumers and users, should be more wary of the possible cyberattacks that imposes on smartphones. As smartphones

"contain the same vulnerabilities as laptops and desktops, but they also contain other vulnerabilities such as using airwaves instead of wires to connect to the Internet[.] Denial of services attacks specifically designed for wireless devices and new custom financial applications like digital wallets and pocket ATMs that are particularly attractive to hackers" (Aitoro).

However, that doesn't mean we can't arm ourselves with security measures. Just like an ordinary desktop, smartphones can also have anti-virus software installed. And there's a wide variety to choose from such as Avast and Norton. 

No matter where you are, something as little as you're own phone can pose as a vulnerability to a cyber-attack. 


Works Cited

Aitoro, Jill R. "Nextgov." Cell Phones, Other Wireless Devices next Big Cybersecurity Targets. N.p., 10 June 2009. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Cassavoy, Liane. "What Makes a Smartphone Smart?" About.com Cell Phones. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Guglielmo, Connie. "Cisco Mobile Data Shows Surge in Smartphone Users, 4G Usage." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 06 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Goldman, David. "Cyberattack: Your Smartphone Will (eventually) Be Hacked." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 17 Sept. 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

"QWERTY Keyboard." What Is Qwerty Keyboard? N.p., 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.