Heimdal Security Blog

Mobile Ransomware: The Next Step for Cybercriminals     

Targeting smartphones started to be increasingly appealing to cybercriminals as these devices become more and more important in users’ lives.

In 2021, 6.3 billion people owned a smartphone worldwide, according to Statista.com and it is expected that many of them nowadays use their smartphones also for remote work, online shopping, and banking. This leads to important data being stored on mobile devices or being accessible to a hacker if such a device is infected.

From these facts to ransomware created especially for your mobile devices, it was just a step. And what mobile ransomware may lack in terms of the amount of money demanded as ransom, it makes up when it comes to how wide such malware can spread – infecting thousands of people even for a few hundred dollars ransom.

In this article, you will find out how mobile ransomware works and spreads, and how can you protect your device.

What Is Mobile Ransomware

This type of malware essentially blocks access to your smartphone by locking your device’s screen or encrypting your data preventing you to use files and features. Access can be granted again after a ransom is paid.

The main goal of ransomware creators is to take as much money as possible from one attack and to achieve this they may leak data on the Dark Web, steal your contacts for further attacks, and so on.

Ransomware attacks made the decisive shift from your PC to your phone in 2014 with the Cryptolocker campaign that affected mobile devices on a large scale.

At the pick of this campaign our company was identifying up to 8,000 new Cryptolocker infections every day, but the numbers had dropped to almost zero following the global law enforcement effort.

Based on preliminary data, Heimdal reported that the operation against Cryptolocker was successful. The FBI has applauded our company for its technical support in locating the infection.

What Damage Mobile Ransomware Can Do

After infiltrating your phone, the malware will display a note to demand ransom to restore the functions and data on the device.

And even if losing your money is the prime consequence of a ransomware attack, you, as a user, and your mobile device can be affected in an additional number of ways:

Stealing data: once the threat actor has access to your list of contacts, he can also see names, addresses, phone numbers, and other information that can be used to send malware to other users or can be sold on the Dark Web.

Banking details and credentials: many times the main reason for a ransomware campaign is stealing users’ banking details and private information via mobile apps.

Data lost: after an attack, you may need to reset your device, in which case you can lose all your data from that phone if you don’t have a backup.

Abusing the functions of your phone: the malware can override certain functionalities of your phone making it impossible to use.

Changing the PIN code: some ransomware can reset your phone’s PIN code so you will not be able to open it.

Encrypting data: to make you pay a ransom the cybercriminal can encrypt the data on your phone and demand money in return for the decryption key.

How Mobile Ransomware Spreads

Ransomware can infect your phone effortlessly, only by a click on the wrong link or downloading a fake app.

Here are the most common ways mobile ransomware spreads:

How Can You Protect your Devices from Mobile Ransomware

Protecting your device against an attack is better than dealing with one when we talk about ransomware.

Here are a few measures that you can take to shelter your phone and your data, but remember that they work together and the best strategy is to implement as many of them as possible.

How to Deal with Mobile Ransomware

When your phone gets hit by a ransomware attack, paying the hacker off seems to be the first step to regaining access to your device and data. While paying a ransom does not guarantee that you will have your device unlocked, this will encourage cybercriminals to continue their illegal activities.

There are a few things you can do in case of mobile ransomware:

Ransomware on Android Devices and iPhones

Both Android system devices and iPhones can be infected with mobile ransomware. Here are a few examples of the most successful malware campaigns.

How Can Heimdal® Help?

Heimdal® offers you a solution to keep all your device safe with Heimdal Threat Prevention.

It takes care of all the layers of protection by helping you to bypass threats, detect any anomalies, and block malware in your endpoints.

Our solution features the Darklayer GUARD™ filter, the world’s most advanced Endpoint DNS threat hunting tool, that works in tandem with VectorN Detection™ smart traffic pattern algorithms engine.

With AI-fueled technology, this solution will keep you always prepared by predicting what tomorrow’s threats will look like.

In terms of ransomware, installing a good anti-ransomware solution could save you a lot of time and money.

Heimdal® is offering its customers an integrated cybersecurity suite including the Ransomware Encryption Protection module, that is universally compatible with any antivirus solution, and is 100% signature-free, ensuring superior detection and remediation of any type of ransomware, whether fileless or file-based (including the most recent ones like LockFile).

Neutralize ransomware before it can hit.

Heimdal™ Ransomware Encryption Protection

Specifically engineered to counter the number one security risk to any business – ransomware.
  • Blocks any unauthorized encryption attempts;
  • Detects ransomware regardless of signature;
  • Universal compatibility with any cybersecurity solution;
  • Full audit trail with stunning graphics;
Try it for FREE today 30-day Free Trial. Offer valid only for companies.

Wrapping Up…

Protecting your mobile devices is as important as protecting any other machine connected to the internet. Don’t ignore this gateway to your data and personal information and implement the same cybersecurity good practices and safety layers as on any other device.

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