Cyber Criminals Target Your Smartphone: McAfee
CNBCBy Justin Menza | CNBC – 7 hours ago
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As more people use their mobile devices to access their bank accounts, make payments and store financial and other types of data, cyber attacks are on the upswing, Michelle Dennedy, Chief Privacy Officer for security software firm McAfee, told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street”this week.
According to McAfee’s 2013 Threat Prediction report, “Cyber criminals and hacktivists will strengthen and evolve the techniques and tools they use to assault our privacy, bank accounts, mobile devices, businesses, organizations and homes.”
Cyber attacks on mobile devices can take two forms, Dennedy told CNBC. In addition to the traditional hacking and malware threats that plague traditional PCs, cyber criminals are now exploiting a mobile phone’s near-field communications, which is how consumers use tap-and-pay mobile wallet services.
“Crooks are able to walk through crowds and literally bump into your phone and your steal information,” she warned.
The McAfee report also predicted a rise in “ransomware” where criminals hijack a users’ ability to access data or communicate to extort a payment from victims who hope to have their access restored.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cyber-criminals-target-smartphone-mcafee-055202725.html