Smartphone security risks, such as deceptive SMS messages, “deepfakes,” and malicious apps, are a major concern in the telecommunications industry. This issue was discussed at the World Mobile Telephony Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.
Honor, a Chinese manufacturer, unveiled a new feature that allows users to verify the authenticity of a received video with a single click.
An AI tool quickly analyzes videos to determine if they are authentic or “deepfakes” with 99% accuracy, making it challenging to spot these realistic AI-generated videos without specialized training.
The GSMA, which hosts this significant yearly event in Barcelona, created the “Scam signals” API to safeguard users from telephone banking fraud.
The device, created in collaboration with UK Finance, a UK financial sector organization, is intended to address fraudulent phone calls that trick consumers into approving payments on their banking app.
Banks can temporarily halt transactions to verify their accuracy before approving the transfer, explains Samantha Kight, GSMA security director.
Some telecom operators in the UK have already implemented this solution, but fraudsters also exploit alternative channels, and smartphones are still inadequately secured, making them attractive targets.
Bank fraud at a high level
Fraud in banking applications experienced the highest growth among mobile attacks in 2024, as reported by the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
Attacks aiming to steal bank data on smartphones using malicious programs known as “Treave Ranges” increased threefold within a year, as reported in their annual analysis of mobile threats during the MWC.
The rise indicates that users are susceptible to apps that may conceal deceptive tools.
In the majority of bank fraud instances, individuals unknowingly download a harmful app, according to AFP Marc Rivero from Kaspersky’s global research and analysis team.
They aim to download a game by finding a link online that seems official, but it turns out to be fake, leading to the installation of deceptive software on their devices.
Invisible Dangers –
This danger is not limited to internet links but can also be found in official app stores and pre-installed phone applications, which are considered safer despite having vulnerabilities.
Fraudulent apps are less common on iOS compared to Android, according to experts.
Roxane Suau, a product manager at Pradeo, a company that focuses on smartphone cybersecurity, faces heightened risks from almost imperceptible dangers.
Without cybersecurity protection on phones, it is difficult to detect if individuals have interacted with deceptive links or downloaded malicious software, leading to a lack of awareness among the public.
The expert states that the risk level faced by phones largely depends on the settings chosen by the user.
Along with overseeing downloaded apps, it suggests turning off Bluetooth when not in use, disabling automatic Wi-Fi connection, and updating the device regularly.