Negosentro | Signs Your Mobile Device Has a Malware Infection | Desktop is out, and mobile is in. Mobile devices have comprised the majority of web traffic for years now, which has caused a revolution across industries as companies strive to engage with mobile consumers. One of the most interesting industries to be affected by this change is the cybersecurity industry — specifically, the industry of cybercriminals.
While desktop devices certainly receive more than their share of attacks, more and more mobile devices are succumbing to malware, and many users aren’t even aware of it. If malware is on your mobile device, it is likely pilfering your data, giving cybercriminals access to social and banking accounts as well as sensitive information like your name, address, birthday and more.
Plenty of malware makes its presence known, but plenty also prefers to remain hidden in the background. Here are a few signs that your phone or tablet is suffering from a malware infection — and what to do if it is.
Dying Battery
The typical smartphone battery will remain in relatively good condition for three to five years, though there are some charging behaviors that can diminish that lifespan slightly. Yet, if you notice a sudden and drastic change to your battery’s ability to hold a charge, you could have malware running in the background of your device. Some crypto-jackers are using mobile devices to mine cryptocurrency, which drains battery life.
Pop-up Advertisements
When internet browsers started integrating pop-up blockers into their programs, the industry for pop-up ads quickly died out. Now, the only reason you should see a pop-up ad is if there is malware on your device, and that goes double for mobile devices. Advertisements are just as profitable for cybercriminals as they are for other organizations, so when criminals have access to a large number of mobile devices, they might as well sell ad space to the highest bidders.
Strange Apps
You should have a good idea about the apps that are installed on your device, so when a new one shows up without your permission, you can identify malware right away. Malware begets malware; in efforts to make it more difficult to remove malicious programs and give themselves ways back onto your device, attackers won’t hesitate to download additional corrupted apps. Even if the app looks legitimate, if you didn’t expressly download it, you should consider it dangerous and avoid opening it.
Surge in Data Use
Most activities cybercriminals are hoping to use your mobile device for will require connection to the internet and ample data consumption. You should make it a habit to check your data consumption on a monthly basis. If you notice a spike in your mobile data use — and nothing changed over the past month to explain the increase — you should start looking for malware on your device.
Higher Bills
Through their data use, through paid app downloads, through in-app payments and more, malware can run up your mobile bill. There shouldn’t be much fluctuation in your monthly mobile payment, unless you are in the bad habit of buying apps or overrunning your data limits. Therefore, if you notice that your bill is higher than normal by any amount, you should immediately start to look for the cause. Contacting your mobile service provider should help you determine whether the charge is suspicious or not.
Poor Performance
Crypto-jackers, mobile adware and other malicious mobile programs draw power from your device’s systems, which means there isn’t as much power available for you to use. As a result, every task you try to complete on your mobile device — opening apps, browsing the web, etc. — will require more time and result in greater frustration from you. Performance will decrease over time, so if your device is older, you might just need a replacement.
Got Malware?
You don’t have to suffer from all of the above issues to have a malware problem, and if you can’t find any other reason for your mobile device woes, you might as well take steps to remove malicious programs and protect your device from cybercriminals. Antivirus for phone can add a much-needed layer of security to your device, identifying and removing threats before they damage your device or data.
More than 90 percent of the world’s population has a mobile device, so cybercriminals are turning their attention to mobile malware. By knowing the signs of malware on your mobile device, you can boost your safety and security now and into the future.
