Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Security Flaws That Make Smartphones Vulnerable To Hacking

Most smartphone users store a lot of sensitive data in their devices such as their personal, contact, and banking details. As people become more dependent on these gadgets, they tend to forget that these can be easily hacked. The iCloud hack that exposed the private photos of famous celebrities from a few years back is proof that people should take their personal cybersecurity seriously.

Image source: Huffingtonpost.com
A smartphone possesses features that most users are unaware of. Gyroscopes and accelerometers are some of the factors that make smartphones smart but can also be easily hacked. To simplify, a gyroscope is a sensor for detecting the phone’s orientation. While it is helpful in maximizing the use of apps, it can also detect sound waves. This makes it easier for hackers to get into a person’s phone and steal information without being discovered.

On the other hand, accelerometers can also be compromised with sound waves. By registering a fake motion signal, hackers can break into a device and take control of it. When this part has been compromised, hackers will be able to see the movement of the phone making it easy to steal passwords and other important information. Accelerometers can also be found in medical devices, vehicles, and even satellites, making these devices vulnerable to hacking.

Image source: DIgitaltrends.com
As more studies about the vulnerabilities of smartphones and devices are being released, companies like Google and Apple are doing their best to ensure the security of their users. Cybersecurity companies are also taking steps to bring their services to individuals, especially in this highly-connected world.

Adam Quirk is an award-winning criminal justice professional with 15 years of experience in investigations, regulatory compliance, team leadership and supervision, program initiation, and development. Find out more about his company, Stealth Advise, on this page.
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