5 common myths about smartphone security debunked | Media Pyro

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Smartphones are ubiquitous in today’s society, but most people don’t really understand mobile security and everything related to it.


This has led to widespread myths and misconceptions, some of which can be detrimental to overall cybersecurity if taken at face value. It is time to debunk them.


1. Myth: computers are more secure than smartphones

Graphic illustrations of a laptop and a smartphone on a yellow background

How many times have you encountered malware on your computer and how many times on your phone? exactly.

However, it is not uncommon to hear arguments that desktop devices and laptops are more secure than smartphones. In fact, this misconception is quite common even among people who should know better.

In fact, smartphones are inherently more secure than computers because they were created after the Internet became available to the average person. The first version of the Windows operating system, for example, was released in 1985, a decade before the first modern smartphones appeared on the market. Because of this, Windows (which runs on the vast majority of computers) had some security holes from the very beginning, and there are many of them today.

Of course, smartphone apps are in an isolated software environment, making it difficult for malware to spread through the system. In addition, smartphones cannot be found by their IP addresses. In short, Android and iOS phones are much more secure than Windows desktops and laptops.

2. Myth: Mobile security apps are pointless

Smartphones are visible on a red background

Among those who understand that smartphones are more secure than computers, there is a common belief that security applications are unnecessary. After all, why would you need such software if you’ve never even had to deal with malware on your phone? This is a legitimate question, but it is based on a false premise.

For starters, even if you think your phone doesn’t need antivirus software, there are plenty of other apps that can improve your cybersecurity. Authentication programs, for example, are a great way to secure your online accounts and make them virtually impenetrable to cybercriminals. Meanwhile, password managers, network scanners, and encrypted messaging apps can provide an extra layer of security for any device.

In addition, there is the issue of privacy, or lack thereof. Since privacy and security go hand in hand, using a secure and private browser and having a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) app installed on your smartphone can make a huge difference.

3. Myth: iPhones are protected from malware

The iPhone is shown on a black background

The Android vs. iOS debate has become something of a pop culture phenomenon, and it will never truly be settled. But iOS users usually mention the security of their iPhone. You can’t get a virus on an iPhone even if you try, so they claim. This is a myth.

While iPhones are much less likely to be infected with malware than Android phones, that doesn’t mean they never get infected. And no, it’s not just jailbroken iPhones that can be infected with malware, although they are obviously more vulnerable to any cyber attack by default.

To prove that the iPhone can be hacked and misused, researchers from the German Technical University of Darmstadt conducted an interesting experiment in May 2022. As Ars Technica reports, researchers have found a way to use the iPhone’s Bluetooth chip, which is key to the device’s low-power mode, and infect it with malware.

Of course, there are also many real-life examples of malware spreading on iOS devices. For example, in 2017, Lookout discovered that an attacker had compromised the Safari browser, blocking it from working properly and demanding a ransom from its victims.

4. Myth: Apps from Google Play and App Store are safe

The Android and Apple logos are visible on a purple background

If you download apps from certified stores like Google Play and the App Store, you should be safe because all apps that go there are thoroughly vetted. That’s what the thought sounds like, but the reality is completely different.

Millions of apps are available in both stores, and hundreds, if not thousands, are added daily. Is it realistic to expect them all to be safe? Of course not. Malicious apps regularly slip through the cracks and end up in major stores, including the App Store, although Apple has a much stricter policy than others.

Downloading a compromised program can cause all kinds of complications, from annoying pop-ups and ads to more serious problems like identity theft and unauthorized banking.

Even some apps that are technically safe and don’t host malware have serious issues when it comes to tracking and privacy. Photo-editing apps are a great example: many violate user privacy in various ways, collect and resell data, ask for unnecessary permissions, and have ties to authoritarian governments.

Of course, all this does not mean that you should download applications from third-party stores. Google Play and the App Store are still much safer than those, but they’re far from perfect.

5. Myth: Using a VPN protects you from being tracked

Globe with the letters VPN on a light blue background

When you connect to a VPN, the traffic on your device is encrypted and your real location is spoofed, making VPN apps an indispensable tool when it comes to both security and privacy. It also means that no one can follow you online, right? Unfortunately, it’s much more complicated than that.

A good VPN should do all of the above, but relatively few actually do. Many free VPN providers keep logs and collect user information to sell to third parties such as affiliates and advertisers. Also, they tend to be disabled, which defeats the purpose of installing them on your phone. And these are just some of the reasons why you need to choose your VPN provider very carefully.

On the other hand, even with a good VPN program, you can still be tracked by third-party cookies, browser fingerprints, and more. In short, you need to make a real effort to minimize tracking, and that means more than downloading a random VPN app.

Understand smartphone security to protect yourself

If you want to protect yourself online, you need to truly understand smartphone security and not rely on false but widely held beliefs and second-hand information.

That being said, it’s also important to keep in mind that some smartphones are simply more secure than others and make your purchasing decisions based on that.

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