The Michigan IT Experts

Mobile malware is not new. It has been around since people used flip phones, but it doesn’t get the attention that the malware that targets Windows PCs do. This is mainly due to it being a little more rare, but if you are the unfortunate recipient of it, it can cause a lot of the same problems. 

Many people won’t consider it simply because of the way they use their device. A person’s smartphone is with them around the clock and they don’t often use it in the same manner as they would a PC. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t major threats that can users can be exposed to. Let’s take a look at each major mobile OS.

iPhone Malware

One of Apple’s favorite marketing strategies is to point out that iOS is the safest mobile operating system. They actually do a commendable job, but devices running iOS aren’t always completely safe, especially on “jailbroken” devices. By not doing this, which is a way to avoid a lot of iOS’ built-in security restrictions, you will be much more secure. 

Another risk that iOS-run devices run into is called a zero-day hack. The zero-day hack target devices haven’t received a security update after the security update has been released to the public. One major issue that users have with iOS security is that there aren’t a lot of ways to prevent issues. Apple itself does a lot of the heavy lifting. Their platform’s success depends on them keeping their reputation, so having trust in Apple to keep your device secure is not without its merits.

Android Malware

Android is a completely different situation altogether. With more devices comes more malware, and with so many different manufacturers making (and supporting) their various versions of Android, it gets a little dicey.

Android is much more flexible than iOS, which is one of its main benefits, but it can also be problematic when it comes to keeping the device secure. For example, if you want to install an application that’s found outside of Google Play, you can, but any negative situation you get into as a result is on you. It is also possible to jailbreak an Android device, which can override some of the built-in security restrictions.

There have been situations where installing apps off of Google Play have caused problems. Google has had to play games with app developers to keep some serious threats off their store. It just means that users need but it has become clear that it really comes down to the user being careful with what they install. It’s not normal for malware to be attached to Google-sponsored apps, but it has happened, so if you are an Android user, you don’t have to be too careful if all of your software comes from Google.

How to Protect Your Smartphone from Malware

Keep App Downloads to Major App Providers - Both Android and iOS feature their own app stores, Google Play Store and Apple App Store, respectively. Even though Android devices can install applications that aren’t on the Google Play store, modern smartphones make this a little more difficult by making users acknowledge that they are putting their devices at risk by doing so.

If you refuse to jailbreak your phone, and you only install applications that are thoroughly vetted, positively reviewed, and come directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play, you will greatly reduce the risk of infecting your device.

Don’t Get Phished - Many of the most insidious threats today rely on user error. Phishing attacks are an annoying example of this. A user will get a legitimate-looking email from some account they actively use and will be directed to submit login credentials. Unfortunately, the email account is spoofed and on the other end is potential disaster.

Install Anti-malware - You have antivirus software for your PC right, why not get it for your mobile devices? Most providers have Android apps and can go a long way toward protecting your device from harm. 

Enact Policies - If you are a business owner and your employees use their personal devices to do work-related tasks, it’s a solid practice to establish an end-to-end mobile device policy. You can require users to enable security options like device locking and encryption, and since this gets set up on your network, the device (and therefore the user) has to comply with any requirement’s your IT admin requires. 

We have a dedicated plan to help all of our clients maximize their data and network security. If you want to talk more about it call our consultants today at 810-230-9455.

1. There’s an Unexpected Attachment or Link

It’s one thing to get an unexpected email from someone, it’s completely another thing entirely to get an email from someone that includes an unexpected attachment or link. Neither of these is a good thing. Attachments can easily contain hidden malware files, and links can be disguised with very little effort.

Don’t believe me? Try visiting google.com. Go ahead!

Not exactly what you were expecting, eh? Keep in mind that you can double-check links by hovering your cursor over them, and if you weren’t anticipating an attachment, don’t click it unless you have confirmed its legitimacy through some other means.

2. The Sender’s Email Seems Off

It isn’t uncommon for scammers to disguise a fraudulent email address by making it look at lot like a legitimate one would. For instance, let’s say that you normally worked with a business vendor, hypothetically named “Super Business Supplies.” A scammer might send you an email from “sales (at) superbusinessupplies.com.” Looks pretty okay, until you notice that there’s one fewer ‘s’ than there should be. Scammers can get downright devious with these replacements, replacing “Amazon” with “Arnazon” and other blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tricks.

In short, read carefully.

3. There are Other Questionable Elements

While that may be a very vague tip, it is only because there is such a wide variety of warning signs that an email is actually a phishing attempt. For instance:

• Spelling and grammar errors. Look at it this way: would you anticipate a company like Microsoft, or Google, or the likes of such to send you an email riddled with mistakes? Of course not, so if you receive an email that purports to be from a company of high repute, but features these kinds of errors, red flags should be going up.
  
  
• Time-sensitivity. One of a scammer’s go-to tools is to put their target off-balance, especially by pressuring them into immediate action. If you receive an email that offers you a great deal by acting right now, or threatens to shut down your account unless you act right now, the first thing you should do is pick up the phone and call up the organization or individual that sent the email.
  
  
• Requests for personal information. Similarly to any messages that rely on cultivating a sense of urgency, you need to look at any emails that request personally identifiable information, access or financial credentials - really, any data that you and your company rely on - with a critical eye. This is another case where calling to confirm is probably your best bet.

Email can be an extremely helpful business tool, but it can also be an equally useful tool for cybercriminals looking to victimize your business. NuTech Services can help you secure it, with best practices and practical solutions to lock it down. To learn more, reach out to us at 810-230-9455.

Here, we’ve put together a list of suggestions for the different kinds of coworker you might have to provide a present for.

The Health-Conscious

Let’s face facts - the desk jobs that are typical of the office aren’t exactly the healthiest ones in the world, so there are plenty of gifts that are intended for the office worker who wants to fight the battle of the bulge.

From numerous standing desk and converter options, to chairs that require active sitting (like those big inflatable balls you sit on) or are specially designed with ergonomics in mind, to elliptical machines that fit under a desk, you have your choice of means to help decrease sedentary behavior in the naturally-sedentary office environment, or at least minimize its impact.

Want to take the more affordable route? Look into posters with yoga positions or rolled up yoga mats that can be stowed away. If your office has an outdoor space, a few outside gifts like frisbees, jump ropes, and hackysacks might be a big hit.

While you may not be able to give your coworker the ability to avoid the snacks in the break room, or the extra cupcakes that Susie from Human Resources brought in from her daughter’s 7th birthday party, you can at least help them fight off their effects.

The Productivity-Minded

We all have that coworker who likes to keep themselves as organized as possible, as the more organized they are, the more productive they can be. There are many gifts that may be perfect for such a person, especially with the new year following so closely behind the holidays. For instance, a personal calendar or planner is a popular tool that many people use, especially those who prefer to find it easier to remember their responsibilities if they record them in analog, rather than digital format.

Alternatively, you might consider getting such a person a means of keeping their space uncluttered and organized, such as an attachable storage shelf for their desk, or a case to help them keep their various peripherals, dongles, and doodads organized and easily portable.

Of course, one of the most common ways to boost productivity is to add an additional display, so you always have the option to invest in any of a variety of products that can accomplish this. There are additional monitors for both desktops and laptops, of course, but there are also docks that can turn a mobile device into an additional, interactive display. Of course, these can be pricier than a gift for a coworker should perhaps be, but there are also options with a much less considerable price tag - like a wireless phone charger or similar device.

The Fidgeter

We all have that coworker who tends to think with their hands - that person who needs something tactile to help organize their thoughts. This is a fairly easy person to buy a gift for, as there are plenty of “desk toys” out there that you can find - fidget spinners, levitating tops, and magnetic balls just being the start.

One word of warning - unless your coworkers are always listening to music while they work, or are exceptionally patient, you will probably want to make sure whatever tchotchke you decide to give someone is minimally disruptive. Otherwise, your gift may result in issues down the line.

Of course, you don’t necessarily need to give gifts that are just for the office. It’s always fun to get a more personalized gift for someone to use in their personal life, as it means that you have really gotten to know your coworkers.

What was the best gift you ever got from an office gift exchange? What would you hope to receive now? Share it in the comments - you never know, someone might see it and give it to you!