What does the average con-artist have in common with a cyber-criminal?
They both use psychology to get the results they want – namely, to steal your identity, your money, or other valuable information. Mobile malware often finds its way into a smartphone by simply outsmarting us! Sometimes referred to as “social engineering,” a skilled malware author usually knows a bit about human psychology and what pushes our buttons.
Fraud takes different forms.
How is the idea of social engineering used in mobile malware? Maybe you’ve heard of elder-fraud, where con-men gain the trust of a senior citizen and trick her into giving up her money. A fraudster knows that he first needs to pose as someone else – someone legitimate. He needs to appear innocent and not arouse any suspicion. He knocks on the door politely, and might even manage to get an invitation to come in, since he seems trustworthy and kind. He may even offer his victim something guaranteed to keep her safe from folks like him.
A lot of mobile malware behaves in the same way. You may notice an innocent looking ad while using a perfectly safe app. The ad’s image may be very small and unassuming. Or, you might feel alarmed by a message offering you protection from some looming form of mobile malware you’ve contracted. Logic might lead you to click on anything that offers some form of mobile security, whether it’s related to fending off a virus or improving your battery’s performance.
We can’t always recognize bad ads.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where social engineering scams are plentiful. Although mobile security’s on the minds of most smartphone owners, particularly Android users, the truth is it doesn’t necessarily take a weak moment or carelessness to open the door to mobile malware. Malware is always well-disguised as something else, and we’re all vulnerable, simply because we’re human. Therefore, it’s important to follow the golden rules of mobile security, and the good news is, there are some things you can trust.
Download a powerful mobile security product that will catch and eliminate malware before it gets to your phone’s system. It’s the strongest and most effective step you can take toward mobile protection.
Buy your apps from legitimate sources. If you’re interested in a product, search for a legitimate website where you can look into it, rather than clicking on a random ad.
Don’t believe random alerts that pretend to protect you from malware. They’re a product of social engineering, plain and simple.
Have you seen social engineering scams?
Have you ever noticed examples of “social engineering” on your mobile devices? What kinds of trickery have you seen? We’d love to hear your comments about this kind of mobile malware here on our blog, or on our Facebook page.
What do smartphone owners and cybercriminals have in common? Both are on the hunt for “root exploits,” which bypass your mobile device’s built-in security system and give you greater control over your phone. Here’s what you need to know about root exploits.
Rooting Android smartphones has never been easier. For about $20, users can buy apps that allow them to use root exploits to gain “Superuser” control of their phones, meaning they remove carrier-added software that they don’t want, bypass carrier restrictions on Wi-Fi and GPS usage, and install apps that their carriers don’t approve of.
The bad news is that consumers aren’t the only ones who’ve figured out that a root exploit is a fast, easy and cheap way to get complete control over a mobile device. Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities in Android and other systems to get the root access they need to control mobile devices from remote locations.
Once the bad guys root your phone, it’s a cinch to steal your data and commit fraud. They can silently download malicious software on your phone, send premium (and very expensive) SMS messages from your phone, and commit other types of fraud, which you can read about in our 2011 Mobile Security Report.
Smartphone
Malware that contains root exploits are one the most serious threats to mobile users because they give scammers complete control over your device. To prevent this type of malware from infecting your smartphone, follow a few common-sense guidelines for mobile security:
Don’t root your phone. When you consider that the majority of malware comes from alternative app stores (which are often used by people who rooted their phones) and that rooted phones are at greater risk for mobile threats of all kinds, it’s clear that the cons outweigh the pros.
Look out for unusual behaviors on your phone. Signs of an infected device include odd charges to your phone bill, unexpected SMS or network activity, or the appearance of apps you haven’t downloaded.
Download a strongmobile securityproduct to stop root exploit activity before it has a chance to begin.
Download apps only from reputable app stores that you trust, and always check reviews and ratings before you download anything.
Thoughts on Rooting?
Have you or someone you know rooted a smartphone? How did you do it? Did your phone behave differently? Tell us what happened by commenting on our blog, or join the conversation on Facebook.
Are you thinking of selling or giving away your old mobile phone? When a new model comes out, even if it’s only one feature ahead of the last, many of us jump to make the change. Even if you just plan to pass your used phone along to someone in the family, it’s worth taking a few minutes for some safety precautions.
A Thorough Wipe?
In a recent study, an expert purchased 30 phones and went to work on hacking them. He was able to glean personal data from 15 of them with help from a forensic expert. Some of the info was absolutely private – “Social Security numbers, child support documents, credit card log-ins and a host of other data.” The former owners of the phones felt certain that they’d left no data on the phones! They’d restored the device’s settings, according to the instructions available to them, and were comfortable that the phones were clean. They weren’t!
In particular, Android phones are prone to leaving data onboard even after they’re wiped in accordance with their manufacturer’s instructions.
Spring Cleaning
You may not have plans to give away or sell your phone, but it’s still a great idea to take stock of its contents. A little spring cleaning may be in order, and it never hurts to go through your phone to delete any unnecessary data. That would include old emails and text messages, photos you’ve already transferred, obsolete banking and credit card information, or anything that could potentially jeopardize your privacy. If you’re getting rid of your phone, wipe it clean of everything, and get it back to its original state.
Don’t forget to download NQ Mobile Security to your Android or other smartphone, just to ensure that every bit of your data will be erased from a phone before you put it back into circulation. Why take a chance?
Stay tuned for the ultimate privacy product, coming soon from NQ Mobile.
We’re happy to announce that Gavin Kim, former General Manager (GM) for Windows Phone Product Marketing, has joined the NQ Mobile team as our new Chief Product Officer. In this newly created role, Gavin will be helping to map NQ Mobile’s future by identifying and developing innovative products, technologies and partnerships.
In our opinion, he’s the perfect guy for this job, and his experience speaks for itself. In his GM role at Microsoft, Gavin led the product marketing and platform planning teams, while also driving Windows Phone application and developer ecosystem efforts. He’s also held senior leadership positions at Samsung Mobile, Motorola and Advanced Technology Ventures, in which he was responsible for product vision, strategy, marketing and management.
In the words of our Co-CEO, Omar Khan: “Gavin’s proven track record of providing high level leadership to the biggest names in mobile technology makes him the perfect addition to our growing family of talented professionals.”
With Omar Khan as our Co-CEO in the United States, and Dr. Henry Lin as our Co-Founder and Co-CEO in Beijing, NQ Mobile’s growing at lightning speed, as proven by our position on the New York Stock Exchange. With Gavin on board, we’re very excited to take the next steps in product development and innovation.
It was only a matter of time. This week, two consulting groups asked the FEC (Federal Election Commission) to allow us to donate to our favorite political cause using text messages from our mobile devices. The question of mobile security comes to mind, as well as the potential for fraud and malware. However, for now, the idea is still in the proposal stage.
Since many industries are embracing the use of wireless technology, the political world wants in on the action. How would it work?
Two Conditions
Donations via text message would be anonymous, a benefit for someone who doesn’t want to advertise his or her political affiliation.
Donations would be limited to $50 each. Capping off the amount in this way gives a break, not only to the party’s treasurer, who would not be required to record it, but to the contributor, who need not be identified for this amount.
In earlier eras, money was often raised for political causes through a massive number of small donations. Although times have changed in the political arena, this new regulation would bring fund-raising through small donations back into fashion. Making a donation through text messaging is an easy way to get involved, and will certainly prove to be profitable to candidates and causes.
How Would it Work?
Limiting the funds to $10 to $50 per donation would be regulated through assigning a “premium short code” to the political committee. The limitation only extends to a billing cycle, so a contributor could potentially make many small donations without being identified.
Political organizations want to solicit donations via smartphones just as other businesses are doing and, it makes sense to establish a way to do so. The FEC proposal also mentions that the “merchant billing aggregator” m-Qube,”would also be a “party to these transactions.” Apparently, m-Qube has a corner on the political donation market.
Be Prepared
So, expect to be hounded soon by PACs, volunteers, canvassers, fliers, and candidates, themselves, to turn over some hard earned cash to their cause using your smartphone. Before you do, however, be sure you’ve protected your phone with NQ Mobile Security, just in case. One can’t be too safe in this time of wireless paying. Download NQ for free, and prepare for the barrage.
The new Galaxy Nexus phone has Google Wallet built right in, and offers a $50 Wallet credit, just for buying the phone. While off to a relatively sluggish start, mobile payment practices in the US promise to grow quickly this year, with major stores ramping up their NFC setups, and a promise of more phones coming equipped with wallet-type capabilities.
The NFC (Near Field Communication) chip that makes wallet-payments possible was formerly only available on the Samsung Nexus X, and Sprint has been the only carrier to support the system. This made for a fairly small audience for the “wave” paying function up until now. Sprint plans to release ten additional smartphone models this year that will support it, and this new promotion of an inexpensive phone and $50 credit may go a long way to begin a surge of the wallet concept’s popularity. Google refers to a future “wallet ecosystem” that it expects will develop, starting with its own product.
Mobile paying promises to change the face of commerce worldwide. A wider acceptance of mobile paying may have the effect of jostling some lethargic economies, and could help increase business revenue by offering speed and convenience to customers.
The mobile payment industry is wide open for growth, with opportunities being created daily for new careers in engineering and research. An obvious benefit that vendors will surely tout is the “green” aspect of mobile paying – no plastic, no paper.
Along with the growth of any great idea, safeguards have to be considered. Mobile security researchers must be committed to continuously ramping up their own technology to meet the emerging demands of mobile paying, and to match the pace of malware development. Wireless money transactions call for sleek, comprehensive scrutiny by software that has a massive, cumulative virus database to draw from. Security features need to catch and block malware before it reaches the consumer’s handset, and provide loss and theft features that will quickly and remotely clear sensitive payment data.
Wallet-paying will surely present opportunities for cyber crime. The best bet is to get your smartphone well-protected before you begin to use any new technology, whether it’s a NFC chip or a new app. If you’re already one of our 126 million customers, we thank you again for your business. If not, download NQ today. It’s free.
The History Channel aired an episode about the most life-changing gadgets and it included, not surprisingly, the mobile phone. There are others, but perhaps none that handle so many varied tasks in one place. Our kids might take their smartphones for granted, but our grandparents have memories of gadgets that changed their lives, as well.
Life-changers
It’s hard to imagine how exciting it must have been when Mr. Bell actually communicated by voice with someone many miles away. Our great grandparents may have seen the advent of electric washers and dryers – gadgets which changed the very pace and fabric of everyday life.
In one generation our forebears went from horse and buggy travel to watching a moon landing on a television. Television itself had been only a curiosity to them a few years back. Since that time, less than fifty years ago, we have watched technology develop at rocket speed, so to speak. The microwave oven and television remote-controller changed our lives forever. Air travel has become commonplace, and the computer changed the way we do business and communicate. But perhaps the most astonishing invention in our time was the introduction of wireless technology.
Wireless invites malware
Interestingly enough, all the gadgets we can think of up until the time of the computer were fairly bug-free. There have been passing concerns about microwave poisoning, obesity from too much passive television watching, and certainly the dangers inherent in modern transportation. However, no modern invention has presented such opportunities for theft and crime as has our favorite, the wireless device. PC hacking had its day, but pales in comparison to today’s complex and sophisticated designer malware created for especially for smartphones.
Remember, there has always been a set of safety instructions provided with every emerging product, from electric toasters and sewing machines to ear buds and satellite dishes. It’s wise to never take safety for granted when it comes to your smartphone.
Wireless mobile devices provide a tempting target for criminals who recognize the potential payoff from everyday activities conducted by the average smartphone user. Since we will not be seeing the end of smartphones any time soon, it’s good to remember some basic rules of safety.
Always use a strong password, and change it every couple months.
Set your phone to auto-lock after it’s been idle for more than a few minutes. It’s a hassle to log back in, but it shrinks the window of time that your phone could be tampered with.
Always install manufacturers’ updates when prompted.
Download a safety product that will protect you from malware and privacy invasion.
Disable any geo-tagging feature when it’s not in use
Don’t download or open anything uninvited – texts, voicemail or apps.
Avoid public Wi-Fi hotspots if possible.
Your best protection
The greatest protection for your smartphone is one that will alert you before a nasty piece of malware reaches your smartphone. Download the award-winning NQ Mobile Security software for free, and keep your favorite gadget safe and sound.
An interesting article in this morning’s Forbes Magazine, provided food for thought about the transitional period of history in which we live. Apparently, Steve Jobs declared the death of the Personal Computer age back in June of 2010. We know today that smartphones have far outsold PCs in the last two years, but it’s interesting to speculate how the complete transition into a less PC-dependent era will look.
Smartphones rule
Right now, we can do so many things on the smartphone that it makes a PC totally unnecessary for some folks – especially those who don’t need to write much. Paying bills, taking photos, purchasing products, communicating by text, email and voice, and even filing taxes is a snap with a smartphone. A world of apps, Geo-location features and incredible convenience and portability make the smartphone an invention for the history books. Our society will never be the same as it was pre-smartphone, and hopefully, that will prove to be a good thing.
Mobile pad devices are certainly gaining in popularity, but they lack one very important feature that’s an integral part of the smartphone – they can’t make phone calls without a server like Skype, and you can’t talk to your great Granny on Skype if she doesn’t have it, too. We are beginning to see apps that will actually turn the pad into a phone, but as of yet, they are simply apps and not an integral part of the device. While Skype is great, it’s not perfect, and it lends a robotic feel to a conversation.
Room for improvements
A smartphone is still the smartest device on the market. Could it be better? Certainly. The smartphone screen is smallish, which can be a problem for aging eyes. It’s not as comfortable to watch a movie or play a game with a small screen. If you have clumsy fingers, touching the “keys” makes texting a pain. The size of the phone makes it a perfect fit in a pocket or purse, but also makes it much easier to lose. If you’re in the deep woods of Oregon, you won’t get a signal on any device, so the emergency features of the smartphone are not always available (although the GPS feature may keep you from getting lost).
Imagine
Let’s look into the future. How about a smartphone that’s half the size of a mobile pad, flatter and lightweight, that does absolutely everything? Let’s say, the size of a business envelope, indestructible, with a wireless connection so powerful you don’t need a tower within twenty miles. It knows you with a fingerprint, and lets you vote, pay taxes and participate in your community without the threat of a privacy or security breach. It lets you easily call Granny, or anyone, without using Skype. It still fits in your purse or bag, but can’t disappear so easily under a couch cushion. You can prop it up for working, or keep it in your briefcase or a special pocket without adding extra weight. Clothing manufacturers design around it, so slipping it into a pocket it’s as much a part of your daily routine as putting on socks. Like the smartphone, it’s your connection to the world, but allows you to do everything on one device.
Use mobile security
Until the future arrives, we still need to contend with mobile security issues such as malware and privacy protection on our smartphones. Make sure your incredibly smart smartphone is protected by the best mobile protection in the world. Ask our 126 million customers.
We’ve read hundreds of password-setting tips. Most of us know the rules and we’re pretty savvy about using clever combinations to safeguard our mobile privacy. However, Splash-Data, a password management company, published a list of the worst passwords ever and, astonishingly, some of them look all too familiar!
The list came from files posted online by hackers listing passwords they’ve stolen. These are considered easy targets and, while some of them might seem obscure enough, they’re well-known to cyber criminals, and are a breeze to hack.
Introducing, the worst passwords ever
password
123456
12345678
qwerty
abc123
monkey
1234567
letmein
trustno1
dragon
baseball
111111
iloveyou
master
sunshine
ashley
bailey
passw0rd
shadow
123123
654321
superman
qazwsx
michael
football
If you’re wondering about qwerty and qazwsx, take a good look at your keyboard. We can only guess why certain names come up often enough to be on this list, but just in case you have a family member named Ashley, Bailey or Michael, this is fair warning. In fact, avoiding every word on this list is a good start toward true mobile protection. Make your passwords long, strange, mixed up with symbols, and meaningful to no one but yourself.
Keep Learning
Awareness of mobile security practices is evolving in our communities, and each of us can take individual steps toward our own safety and privacy. Information like this list needs to be shared so we can stop cyber-crime in its tracks.
NQ Mobile can’t help you choose a password, but we can protect you from hacking, viruses and all forms of malware. One easy download will go a long distance in protecting your family’s mobile devices as well as your peace of mind. NQ Mobile Security is the best on the market – and it’s free. Visit us today.
While baby boomers are now needing glasses and hearing aids, their communication needs continue to change, as well. In this age of advanced medical care, many boomers themselves have living parents. For the aging and elderly, communication becomes a more critical part of life. Smartphones and tablets are a boon for the senior community, in more ways than one.
Senior Smartphones Abound
If your Grandma and Great Aunt Mary have their own smartphones, they’re part of a growing segment of consumers. A Nielsen study claims that folks 55-64 years old represent the fastest growing group of smartphone owners. Obviously, people in this age group aren’t necessarily hoping to look cool or wanting to fit in, but are recognizing the obvious benefits of these amazing gadgets.
Depending upon your loved-one’s age, a smartphone can provide smart shopping tips, driving directions, and emergency contact features. Senior apps are abundant, and include everything from healthcare support to origami lessons. Elderly folks are staying in touch with their kids by playing online games, and, what grandparent doesn’t enjoy producing a magic answer for a fussy child in a restaurant?
The ability to use a touch-screen rather than having to remember how to get where they want to go is a huge plus for seniors. Even those who have become somewhat forgetful find it easier to remember the meaning of a graphic symbol on a screen.
How Tech-Savvy is Your Senior?
Perhaps your aging loved one knows everything there is to know about using a smartphone. However, more likely, there are aspects of the technology that are just too complex to bother with. One of those is the threat of mobile malware. How can we expect a senior to know all about the signs of malware, what it does and how they should react to it? It’s a complicated piece of learning for some, who are satisfied just knowing how to dial an emergency contact number or how to use a GPS so they don’t get lost. Elderly folks can be easily overwhelmed with too much information, especially if it’s of a technical nature or contains unfamiliar terms.
Mobile Protection for Grandma and Grandpa
The easiest, most straightforward way to protect your loved ones from mobile malware and ensure a sense of security is to download the best mobile protection product from a trusted company. Maybe your senior smartphone owner knows that mobile malware exists, but why force him or her to get too involved in the details?
Try NQ Mobile Security
NQ Mobile Security will catch any form of malware before its able to make its way into Grandpa’s phone, and it will alert him if he’s trying to access an infected website or fake URL. It’s easy to download, it’s free, and it comes from a trusted company with more than 126 million customers. Let your seniors off the hook when it comes to malware, and give them the best mobile security available today.
money, or other valuable information. Mobile malware often finds its way into a smartphone by simply outsmarting us! Sometimes referred to as “social engineering,” a skilled malware author usually knows a bit about human psychology and what pushes our buttons.
looking ad while using a perfectly safe app. The ad’s image may be very small and unassuming. Or, you might feel alarmed by a message offering you protection from some looming form of mobile malware you’ve contracted. Logic might lead you to click on anything that offers some form of mobile security, whether it’s related to fending off a virus or improving your battery’s performance.
Here’s what you need to know about root exploits.
Malware that contains root exploits are one the most serious threats to mobile users because they give scammers complete control over your device. To prevent this type of malware from infecting your smartphone, follow a few common-sense guidelines for mobile security:
comes out, even if it’s only one feature ahead of the last, many of us jump to make the change. Even if you just plan to pass your used phone along to someone in the family, it’s worth taking a few minutes for some safety precautions.
In particular, Android phones are prone to leaving data onboard even after they’re wiped in accordance with their manufacturer’s instructions.
We’re happy to announce that Gavin Kim, former General Manager (GM) for Windows Phone Product Marketing, has joined the NQ Mobile team as our new Chief Product Officer. In this newly created role, Gavin will be helping to map NQ Mobile’s future by identifying and developing innovative products, technologies and partnerships.
Election Commission) to allow us to donate to our favorite political cause using text messages from our mobile devices. The question of mobile security comes to mind, as well as the potential for fraud and malware. However, for now, the idea is still in the 
a “premium short code” to the political committee. The limitation only extends to a billing cycle, so a contributor could potentially make many small donations without being identified.
credit, just for buying the phone. While off to a relatively sluggish start, mobile payment practices in the US promise to grow quickly this year, with major stores ramping up their NFC setups, and a promise of more phones coming equipped with wallet-type capabilities.
Mobile paying promises to change the face of commerce worldwide. A wider acceptance of mobile paying may have the effect of jostling some lethargic economies, and could help increase business revenue by offering speed and convenience to customers.
included, not surprisingly, the mobile phone. There are others, but perhaps none that handle so many varied tasks in one place. Our kids might take their smartphones for granted, but our grandparents have memories of gadgets that changed their lives, as well.
moon landing on a television. Television itself had been only a curiosity to them a few years back. Since that time, less than fifty years ago, we have watched technology develop at rocket speed, so to speak. The microwave oven and television remote-controller changed our lives forever. Air travel has become commonplace, and the computer changed the way we do business and communicate. But perhaps the most astonishing invention in our time was the introduction of wireless technology.
Wireless mobile devices provide a tempting target for criminals who recognize the potential payoff from everyday activities conducted by the average smartphone user. Since we will not be seeing the end of smartphones any time soon, it’s good to remember some basic rules of safety.
about the transitional period of history in which we live. Apparently, Steve Jobs declared the death of the Personal Computer age back in June of 2010. We know today that smartphones have far outsold PCs in the last two years, but it’s interesting to speculate how the complete transition into a less PC-dependent era will look.
flatter and lightweight, that does absolutely everything? Let’s say, the size of a business envelope, indestructible, with a wireless connection so powerful you don’t need a tower within twenty miles. It knows you with a fingerprint, and lets you vote, pay taxes and participate in your community without the threat of a privacy or security breach. It lets you easily call Granny, or anyone, without using Skype. It still fits in your purse or bag, but can’t disappear so easily under a couch cushion. You can prop it up for working, or keep it in your briefcase or a special pocket without adding extra weight. Clothing manufacturers design around it, so slipping it into a pocket it’s as much a part of your daily routine as putting on socks. Like the smartphone, it’s your connection to the world, but allows you to do everything on one device.
pretty savvy about using clever combinations to safeguard our mobile privacy. However, 
meaningful to no one but yourself.
needs continue to change, as well. In this age of advanced medical care, many boomers themselves have living parents. For the aging and elderly, communication becomes a more critical part of life. Smartphones and tablets are a boon for the senior community, in more ways than one.
Depending upon your loved-one’s age, a smartphone can provide smart shopping tips, driving directions, and emergency contact features. Senior apps are abundant, and include everything from healthcare support to origami lessons. Elderly folks are staying in touch with their kids by playing online games, and, what grandparent doesn’t enjoy producing a magic answer for a fussy child in a restaurant?