Threat levels are soaring as the use of mobile phones and tablets increases rapidly. Please read on to find out more.
In the UAE, smartphone and tablet users may not be aware that their devices are as prone to viruses and hacking as their PCs.
More and more people are buying mobile devices, making themselves more vulnerable to being monitored by hackers. Tamim Taufiq, who works for Symantec as regional head, made this statement. He added: "We are trying to raise awareness among end users and partners so that they treat their phones and tablets like a PC."
The increasing use of mobile devices and the demand for 24/7 access to WiFi have put users at risk. According to Taufiq, users connected to unsecured WiFi are 35% more likely to be hit by hackers. They should not check their banking details over the internet.
Taufiq added that conventional virus and spam tactics allow hackers to hunt for private data.
According to a report released by Norton in 2013, around one million cybercrimes took place in the UAE in just one year, costing $285 million. Let us see what happens down the line.