More and more users are conducting their business and leisure activities via their smartphones. But despite a general awareness of the risks of viruses and other malicious attacks on PCs, many never consider that their mobile devices can be compromised in the same way.

In fact, 6 out of 10 people in the UK now own a smartphone, so the potential target pool for cybercriminals is large. One virus, which attracted widespread media coverage recently, is spread when a user clicks on an infected internet advert. When clicked, the malicious code infiltrates the device, allowing every key stroke and action that a user conducts to be monitored, including accessing banking websites and other sensitive information.

Keiron Shepherd, senior security engineer at the world leading cyber security company F5 Networks advised that: “The way this virus can insert itself between the applications you’re using before it accesses the internet gives it a chance to extract critical data such as credit card numbers, bank accounts; anything that’s of high value.”

City of London Police Commander Chris Greany, the national police lead for cyber protection, said: “People who carry a mobile phone are actually carrying a mobile computer.

“It’s not a phone with a computer attached. It’s a computer with a phone attached and it is as risky using this as it is using the desktop at home.”

Sophos Mobile Control

So what is the most effective way for businesses to keep mobile users productive while securing all of those different devices? Utilize recommends Sophos Mobile Control, which is a leading Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solution that secures mobile devices and protects corporate data, without impacting employee productivity.

Our support team would be happy to explain the various elements of this platform, including Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Content Management (MCM), Mobile Application Management (MAM) and Mobile Email Management (MEM).

With pressure on IT managers to manage mobile demands and enable productivity, Sophos Mobile Control enables companies to balance employee demands for BYOD with data security, as well as providing effective endpoint management for smartphones and tablets alongside the traditional laptop and desktop.

Call us on 0333 006 9060 today for more information on a comprehensive security strategy for your mobile devices.