Internet Security Learning Center

Hackers' Next Target: Cellphones

In addition to the new wave of attacks on smart phones and other portable devices, cyber criminals will start deploying several new tactics to steal personal information. Cell phones will be vulnerable to having an entire contact directory stolen, or having conversations eavesdropped on. Computers will also be increasingly vulnerable. A new trick, called "drive-by pharming," reroutes a computer's Internet connection through a server operated by the criminals, rather than a legitimate provider, and connects to fake Web sites that resemble destinations such as eBay, PayPal, and bank Web sites to steal confidential data and drain the account. Phishing will become increasingly successful, with a predicted 80 percent success rate. Portable devices, such as USB drives or external hard drives, purchased from eBay or given away as part of a promotional campaign may also contain malware that will infect a computer once installed.

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