At this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC), the spotlight is not only on cutting-edge innovations but also on the rising cybersecurity threats facing smartphones. As mobile devices become central to daily life—handling everything from banking to communication—hackers and cybercriminals are increasingly targeting them.
Tackling Deepfakes and Fraud
While artificial intelligence dominates discussions at MWC, security concerns are gaining traction. Chinese smartphone brand Honor introduced a new AI-powered tool designed to detect deepfakes—deceptive images and videos generated to mimic real people. With a single click, users can request verification, and the system claims an impressive 99% accuracy in spotting manipulated content.
Meanwhile, the GSMA telecom industry association, in collaboration with UK Finance, has unveiled “Scam Signals,” a system designed to combat phone-based fraud. By analyzing call patterns, it helps banks detect potential scams and pause suspicious transactions before they are completed. Some UK networks have already integrated this tool to curb financial fraud.
The Rise of Trojan Horse Attacks
According to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, online banking fraud saw the highest growth among mobile threats in 2024. Their latest report reveals that “Trojan Horse” attacks—where malicious software steals banking login details—tripled within a year.
Many such attacks originate from deceptive apps. Users often download what appears to be a legitimate game or tool, only to unknowingly install malware. Even official app stores are not entirely immune to vulnerabilities, with Android devices generally facing higher risks than Apple’s iOS.
The Need for Better User Awareness
Despite the growing risks, many smartphone users remain unaware of how exposed they are. Cybersecurity expert Roxane Suau warns that without security software, users may not realize when they’ve clicked a phishing link or installed a harmful program.
Simple precautionary steps can help enhance security, including:
- Disabling Bluetooth when not in use
- Avoiding automatic connections to public Wi-Fi networks
- Keeping software updated regularly
As cyber threats evolve, awareness and proactive security measures are essential to keeping smartphones—and the data they hold—safe from attacks.
