Does Your Business Provide Company Mobiles to Employees?
Using public WiFi is another big risk as there are cybercriminals who can intercept or set up malicious hotspots and steal your data. For more information on safe usage of public WiFi, go to WiFi Hotspot Security. Alternatively, the device can become infected with malware. Any device connecting to this device, whether by email or IT infrastructure, is then also at risk of being infected. Mobile device security is so important to both implement and educate people on.
Mobile and Device Security
Fraud
Missed call scam
You receive a missed call from an unknown number and return the call. This is not a malicious call; however, you are redirected to a premium rate line potentially costing you up to £15 per call.
Recorded message scam
You receive a voicemail from an unknown number and you call back. There is a recorded message explaining that you have won a prize and to call a number to receive it. This number that you call is a premium rate line and the prize is usually a ringtone which you end up unintentionally subscribing to a ringtone membership which is usually fake.
Text messages
You receive a text message from an unknown number which appears to be someone you know. The text reads something along the lines of ‘Hey, I’m back from holiday! Are you free this week for a catch up?’. You then call or text the person back explaining you think they have the wrong number. You are then charged a premium rate for calling, or end up in a long SMS chain, charging you a lot.
Ring tone scam
An offer for a ‘free’ or cheap ringtone catches people out. When they accept the offer, they are then involuntarily subscribed to a service which sends regular ringtones for a high price. Many of the ringtone companies are real, but there are a lot of fake ones around.
Phone insurance
When you purchase a new mobile phone, you are a target to fraudsters who call you and try to sell fake or dodgy phone insurance, pretending to be from the company you purchased your phone from.
Take Action
Things to watch out for
- Messages, calls and voicemails from unknown numbers
- Free or cheap ringtones
Report it!
- If your phone is stolen, call your service provider and get your phone blacklisted and deactivated
- Change any passwords to accounts on your device
- Phone us straight away on 0800 680 00 88 and report it to Action Fraud
Protect yourself and your business
- Some phone providers have their own security policy to protect your data and usually this is protected by a security question or PIN
- Make sure your phone is password/code protected and you never store any passwords or bank details on your phone incase it becomes stolen
- Don’t visit suspicious looking URLs on your device
- Don’t respond or call unknown numbers
- If you sell a device, completely factory reset it first, so all your personal information is wiped
- Put PIN access on for voicemails by calling your service provider
- Enable tracking apps or features in the event of your device being stolen
- When you upgrade your mobile phone contract, watch out for fraudulent mobile phone insurance companies trying to get you to invest in their dodgy or fake phone insurance
If you need help and advice on ensuring your business and employees are using equipment safely and securely, contact us today.