Mobile malware, or malicious mobile software, is an umbrella term used to describe any software that is deliberately harmful to digital devices such as computers and smartphones. Though the computer virus is often used in place of mobile malware, a virus is specifically a type of virus that replicates itself to spread infection on mobile devices.
Mobile antivirus software, despite its name, not only protects against computer viruses but also provides mobile malware and trojan protection in general. The best mobile malware protection comes from antiviruses that go beyond just stopping malware to offer blanket protection from all mobile cyber threats.
The list of mobile malware types continues to grow as mobile technology develops which is why getting the right mobile malware protection is so important.
Mobile malware can range from being relatively harmless, like mobile popup adds that never stay closed, to downright scary, like using your mobile device to run illicit activities without your knowledge. While we can't list them all here, there are some common varieties that you should look out for on your mobile devices.
Anytime your mobile device connects to something outside of itself there's the potential for mobile malware to make its way inside. Every mobile download, USB stick, or CD can potentially contain malicious mobile code even if it comes from a legitimate source. If they don't know they're infected, they won't know they are passing on mobile malware or a mobile trojan horse.
The internet is a part of the modern mobile age we couldn't do without, but it's also the easiest access point for a mobile trojan virus. Spam emails, shady mobile websites, and hidden downloads are just some of the ways the internet provides pathways for mobile malware to reach you.
Thankfully, combining good mobile computer practices with the right mobile trojan protection from a top antivirus provider can keep your mobile device safe.
Mobile malware comes in so many varieties it seems impossible that a single program can protect your mobile device. But just as the cybercriminals try their best to stay ahead of mobile technology, mobile malware protection developers are working tirelessly to combat them.
When mobile antiviruses were first developed, they were relatively simple and relied on catalogs of known viruses they could check mobile software against. It's easy to see how that would leave mobile systems vulnerable. One missed update to the mobile database could spell disaster for whole mobile networks.
The next step in mobile trojan security was the development of algorithms that looked not just at the mobile code software but at the behavior of the mobile software itself. Now mobile antivirus had the power to watch for suspicious activity from even legitimate-looking mobile software.
Today the latest advancement is combining mobile malware protection with the cloud. This has the benefit of never needing to wait for a mobile update. As soon as the mobile antivirus company learns of a new threat, the mobile protection is sent out to its users.
Not all mobile malware and trojan protection is created equal. Mobile antivirus software providers choose to prioritize some features over others which leads to variation in mobile protection and price.
Thankfully, finding the right mobile trojan and malware protection is easy thanks to our ranking of the top mobile providers.