Get Safe Online research shows people increasingly being surprised by a wide range of scams planned by fraudsters. Whether it costs £ 6 for owners of messages are not actually sent or rogue app downloads compromise the smartphone security of the handset, new ways to defraud you of money are becoming more common.
"More and more people use their smartphone to transmit personal and financial information on the Internet, whether for online banking, shopping or social networks," said Francis Maude, Minister of cybersecurity.
"This latest research shows Get Safe Online that 17% of smartphone security users now use their phones to money matters and it has not escaped the notice of criminals."
More than a fifth of smartphone users are downloading new applications at least once a month and Omri Sigelman, AVG security experts, believes that the problems will only get worse.
He said: "As mobile phones become more powerful, essentially as powerful as the PC from just a few years ago, not many people even realize that they have become attractive targets for cybercriminals.
"A mobile device is more personal than your computer at home, as it goes next to your wallet and your house keys and contains valuable information, contacts, family photos and memories.
"Much of this is valuable not only for the owner, it is also very valuable to criminals who can use the steal money or identities."
Former researcher of high-tech crime and general manager Tony GetSafeOnline Neate said: "These devices are essentially mini laptops with a wealth of personal information. We see smartphones targeted by malware scams sophisticated and lucrative with the frequency and severity. "
Smartphone security - What you can do to protect yourself
Here are our top tips to ensure your phone, data and identity remain safe:
• Make sure your mobile phone bill regularly. Sign up for an online account on the website of your network and connect to monitor your use of each week. You will soon place all that unusual.
• If you plan to sell or recycle your mobile phone, make sure that the memory is completely wiped out. Go into the settings to perform a hard reset which will remove all telephone numbers, text messages and images.
• If you feel you have been a victim of telephone fraud with rogue premium rate numbers charged on your bill, contact your network immediately. You can learn more about the site for the regulator, PhonePay more
• Beware of rogue applications or fake designed to steal your personal information. Fraudsters make them look like "levels free" games or special offers. This malware can even let criminals intercept text messages or see what you surf.
• Download anti-virus or anti-malware for your mobile. Rik Ferguson, Trend Micro, says: "Safety Smart phone is available but not widely deployed. Soon it will be necessary to be a commonplace. "
• Remember that rogue applications can appear in legitimate app stores and at the end of links sent by email or posted around the sites and social networks. Always read comments before downloading an application and if you are unsure, consult the manufacturer with a Yahoo! search and see if they produced other popular applications with good positive feedback.
• If your battery drains faster than normal, this could be a sign that something hidden on your phone will work in the background.
• When you surf the Web on your mobile using a Wi-Fi hotspot, follow the same rules as you would on a computer. Never use a "free" hotspot is unsecured or it could be a way for hackers to retrieve data from your handset.
• Turn off Bluetooth when not in use. This may be another way for hackers to access your mobile or send you a file that you had not asked. If you suddenly a message on your screen asking you to download an image, video or information, treat it with care. Some places such as shopping centers regularly send alerts Bluetooth when you go to a store or some Info Point, but not anything that will appear official and secure.
• Location-based services on mobile phones become increasingly popular. But remember, after turning on can tell people you do not know can see where you are. This can lead to all sorts of issues, including revealing that you are away from home on holiday and give criminals the opportunity to break into your property.
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