Fight mobile malware with MTD

Posted on Friday February 08, 2019

Cybercriminals will do almost anything to steal your data. One of the easiest ways to do that is exploiting vulnerabilities in your employees' mobile devices. If you're looking for a way to beef up your security strategies, adopting mobile threat detection (MTD) is a good place to start.

MTD and machine learning

Mobile threat detection is an all-around solution that prevents physical tampering, network-based attacks, and malware infections. MTD is supported by a machine learning mechanism, which enables devices to recognize usage patterns and flag anything that is outside of the norm.

MTD is a very scalable solution, able to monitor dozens of Android mobile devices. When one of them deviates from the rest, machine learning logs the anomaly and notifies administrators.

Does MTD detect malware?

Most malware programs are cleverly disguised as legitimate and useful apps. The key to finding and defending against malware is recognizing irregular patterns in user behavior and how individual devices function. A simple scan is not enough to protect your device, especially from attacks such as phishing scams based on thorough target research.

Without machine learning, observing user and application behavior for suspicious signs would be an overwhelming task. It doesn't provide total protection though. Mobile security also needs to include ways to blacklist certain apps, prohibit connecting to unsecured networks, and remotely wipe a device when all else fails.

How to implement an MTD solution

Integrating MTD into your mobile security strategy requires a thorough evaluation of important factors, including industry regulations and the sensitivity of the data stored and/or exchanged on your mobile devices. Ideally, it will be part of a larger solution that allows you to inspect a mobile device's hidden weaknesses and block harmful network traffic.

Developing strong defenses for mobile devices is fast becoming a critical component in many businesses' cybersecurity strategies. And although mobile threat detection remains an imperfect means to detect malware, it is far more powerful than traditional anti-malware solutions.

Businesses like yours need comprehensive security solutions to fend off cyberattacks, whether on your PCs, laptops, or smartphones. For expert IT security recommendations, call us today!