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What are the signs to suspect a smartphone malware infection?

Smartphones (hereinafter referred to as smartphones) are widely used, and it is a natural era to own or more smartphones per person.With the increase in smartphone users, smartphones are increasingly targeted as cyber attacks, and there are a lot of damage to malware and other infections.Figure 1 shows the number of malware detections aimed at Android devices in Japan, published in Canon Marketing Japan's "Cyber Security Report in the first half of 2021".

Figure 1: Changes in the number of detections per year of malware aimed at Android devices (domestic) * Compare the number of detected in the first half of 2019 as 100 %

The graph has a 100 % detection in the first half of 2019, but the number detected in the second half of 2019 is 265 %, 2.5 times more than 2.5 times.It can be seen that it is 295 % in the first half of 2020, 254 % in 2020, and 197 % in the first half of 2021.If you become infected with malware, you may see symptoms such as slowing down your smartphone.A typical behavior suspected of a smartphone malware infection is as follows.

Battery consumption becomes intense

Malware often works in other apps and operates in the background.The battery consumption tends to be larger than usual.If you feel uncomfortable with how to reduce the battery, you may be infected with malware.

Advertising and warning continue to pop up

If the guided advertisement to the phishing site or the so -called browser crusher, fake warning screens continued to pop up and continued to be displayed again when the tabs are closed, it is necessary to suspect malware infection.

The app falls frequently

If the app that has been running stably until now, even if the OS and applications are not upgrading, the apps may fall frequently, the possibility of malware infection should be suspected. right.

The operation of the smartphone becomes heavy

When infected with malware, constant or regular background processing and communication with external servers are performed.Therefore, the processing capacity of the smartphone tends to be squeezed and the operation tends to be heavy.

Data usage is higher than usual

マルウェアの中には、スマホ内のデータを勝手にC&Cサーバーと呼ばれる外部のサーバーに転送してしまうものがある。そのようなマルウェアに感染すると、データ使用量が通常より増える傾向にある。

The camera starts without permission

By being infected with malware and creating a back door, the camera is launched by the attacker remotely, and the captured image data can be transferred to an external server.If you don't remember the camera, but the camera is running, it is possible that you may have been infected with malware.

It's important to note that just because of this behavior does not necessarily mean that you are infected with viruses and malware.For example, one of the behaviors increases the amount of data usage, but the amount of transmitted is smaller than the amount of data generated in video browsing.Therefore, it would be difficult for users with many videos to notice the increase in data.In recent years, there is a program that has been programmed to avoid this kind of behavior while the user is using a smartphone due to the advanced malware.

Based on the fact that computer viruses and malware have been recognized by general users, malicious fraud methods that seem to be infected with malware and fraudulent money are expanding.The number of adware that threatens users by launching a fake warning pop -up screen is increasing, and it is necessary to deal with malware with recognition that there is no versatile measures.

Tendency of different malware infection depending on smartphones

It is important to note that you should not say a smartphone.The characteristics are different between the iPhone equipped with iOS and the Android smartphone equipped with an Android OS.Furthermore, in the case of Android smartphones, the security policy may differ depending on the model.

Tendency of malware infection on iPhone

Malware infection is unlikely to occur because the iOS mounted on the iPhone has strict security policy.It is brought by the strict screening of the App Store and the sandbox, the mechanism where the application is executed in an external area.He is also considering personal privacy and monitor the authority that the app has.

However, on the other hand, security software available on the iPhone has a limited function.Because the iOS itself is strictly protected, it is said that it is more secure compared to Android smartphones.Even if a vulnerability is discovered, the update will be distributed quickly, so that the application is performed promptly ensures safety.In addition, in the iPhone called "jailbreak", which performs a remodeling of the OS, the above mechanism is invalid, so the risk of malware infection increases.

Tendency of malware infection on Android smartphones

Compared to iOS, it is a common opinion that the OS mounted on Android smartphones has a lower security level.Due to the open source OS, and the characteristics that it is easy to cooperate with other apps, the inferior in safety than iOS may even be said to be the fate of Android OS.However, in response to the recent sophistication of cyber attacks, efforts to improve safety by improving each version and adopting a sandbox structure.

However, unlike the iPhone, the security software provided for Android smartphones has a substantial function, so there is a small range that can be used by using it.In order to increase safety when using Android smartphones, the introduction of security software is recommended.

How to deal with malware infections on smartphones

If your smartphone is suspected of malware infections as described above, you should immediately check for infection.The more you continue to leave, the more likely the user's damage may become more serious.In the case of the iPhone, the possibility of infection with malware is unlikely, so in cases where the warning screen is displayed, you should doubt the possibility of an uneasy psychology and fraud.In particular, warnings and alerts that occur while browsing the Internet on Web browsers are likely to be an adware.

On the other hand, in the case of Android smartphones, we want to make effective use of security software check functions.If the infection is suspected, install the free trial version of "ESET Mobile Security" and perform check if it is not installed.If malware is detected, ESET Mobile Security will automatically perform a series of processes to delete it.

However, it may not be possible to delete the deeply hidden malware.In that case, it may be necessary to initialize the smartphone itself.When initializing, all saved data will disappear.In anticipation that some bugs will occur, I want to set a habit of setting to automatically backup or backup on a daily basis.

Use of free security apps to note

It is important to note that some apps claim that malware can be detected or deleted for free.It should be noted that it can be used with confidence if it is a free trial version provided by a major security software company, but there are some unknown or unreliable free security apps.

In the case of apps that are developed and provided with malicious intent, it is a malware -like behavior, such as issuing a fake warning screen that is infected with malware, fueling users' anxiety and guiding to a fishing site.There are things to do.When using a free app, please make sure to check the reputation of the developer and its app before using it.

To protect your smartphone from malware

To protect your smartphone from malware infection, the following seven points are important.

Always update OS and apps to the latest version

When vulnerabilities are discovered in the OS or app, malware for them is developed.By always updating the OS and apps to the latest version, you can at least deal with known vulnerabilities.

Introduction of security software

In the case of an Android smartphone, installation of security software such as ESET mobile security and updating the definition files properly can significantly reduce the possibility of malware infection.In the unlikely event of an infection, I would like to detect the infection and delete it promptly.Security software is also effective against phishing scams that have been increasingly damaged, so use users who are worried about security should use them aggressively.

The app is limited to downloading from the official app store

Official app store apps such as the App Store have been published after a sufficient screening of malware is not mixed, so it is unlikely that they will be infected with malware.Therefore, I would like to limit the installation apps to the official store or the official manufacturer site.It is important not to inadvertently download the so -called stray apps other than the official app store or the application store provided by smartphone makers.However, the danger is not zero, even for apps that have been judging the app store.If suspicious behavior is seen, we want to ensure safety by deleting the app.

Avoid easy clicks of URLs introduced in suspicious emails and SNS

If you easily click the URL introduced in email or SNS, you may be led to a website that will be skipped to a fishing site or downloaded malware.Don't click the URLs introduced in other than reliable emails and articles.

Set a screen lock

By leaving the smartphone on the desk, it is possible that others can be stolen or spyware.It is desirable to carry a smartphone without having to leave your skin, but you may inadvertently forget it.Even in such a case, if the time until the screen lock is applied is set shorter, it can prevent the stealing from malicious third parties.

Back up the data of the terminal frequently

Depending on the type of malware, if you become infected, you may not be able to delete the malware unless the terminal is initialized.If you initialize, the data will naturally disappear, but if you back up frequently, you can minimize the loss of data.Regular data backup is also effective as a ransomware countermeasure.

Collection of information on the tendency of malware infection

Malware, including malware, has become more sophisticated year by year, and new tricks are appearing.By making it a habit of grasping information related to those tricks, you will increase your awareness of security.Being careless is the biggest vulnerabilities, so always try to have a crisis.

In recent years, various techniques have been combined, and cyber attacks are being sophisticated and complicated.With the increasing interest of users in cyber attacks, it has become difficult to break through the front, and the attacker is also planning to attack with wisdom.In many cases, the user cannot grasp the clue to the attack, such as setting an invasion in the step.

In the future, digitalization will continue to progress, and smartphones are expected to evolve further.In order to enjoy the convenience, we want to take measures that are possible on a daily basis, with the awareness of protecting our own safety.I would like to increase my awareness of crisis and take sufficient measures on the premise that anyone can encounter damage.