A recent report from computer security company, Kaspersky Labs confirms what I have been telling you for the last few years.  As people use their smartphones more and more, hackers and identity thieves are focusing their attention on our mobile devices.  The tactic they use is the same type of phishing technique used for years to lure people through tainted messages in emails to click on infected links that download keystroke logging malware on to their victims’ computers that then steal personal information such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and banking information from the computer and use that information for identity theft purposes.  Many people are far too trusting of the apps, social media and text messages on their smartphones which have now become a prime source of links with malware that unwitting victims click on and the become victims of identity theft when the identity thieves steal information from their victims’ smartphones.

TIPS

You can never trust any email, phone call, text message or any other form of communication that comes to you as being legitimate.  Never click on a link or download an attachment regardless of how your receive it even if it appears to come from a trusted source.  Your trusted source may have been hacked and you are being targeted through a technique called spear phishing where you receive a communication that appears to come from someone you trust and is addressed to you personally.  Never click on any link or download an attachment until you have confirmed that it is legitimate.  It is also important to install and maintain up to date anti-virus software and anti-malware  software on all of your electronic devices including your mobile devices.  Too many people fail to protect their smartphones even though they use them so much and store important information on them.