At this week’s Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest wireless technology event, many manufacturers and network operators are prioritizing the protection of smartphone users from phishing, deepfakes, and malicious software.

Even though cybersecurity may not be as prominently displayed as artificial intelligence on the event's massive screens, it has been highlighted in several product announcements.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor has introduced a new tool designed to detect deepfakes, allowing users to verify content with a single click, which is then analyzed by an AI tool that Honor asserts can identify fakes with 99% accuracy.

The GSMA telecom operators' association, which organizes MWC in Barcelona, has teamed up with UK Finance to develop "Scam Signals," a tool aimed at detecting phone-based fraud.

This service assists apps in detecting potential scams, especially when fraudsters attempt to deceive customers into authorizing transactions on mobile banking apps. By analyzing data like call length, the system can notify banks to pause transactions and confirm their validity before proceeding.

That said, several UK networks have already implemented this tool. Nonetheless, fraudsters persist in employing various tactics to target smartphones, which are commonly used but often lack sufficient security.

'Trojan horse' attacks 

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that online banking fraud saw the fastest growth among mobile device attacks in 2024.

In its annual report released at MWC, Kaspersky highlighted that "Trojan Horse" attacks—malicious software aimed at stealing bank app login credentials—had tripled compared to the previous year.

According to Kaspersky analyst Marc Rivero, users continue to be at risk from apps that hide harmful functions, with most banking fraud cases occurring when users unknowingly install malicious apps.

"For example, they want to install a game and they find the link on the internet... the app seems to be the official one, but it's a fake app and then malware is installed on the device."

Unnoticed threats 

Even official app stores on smartphones, which should only offer verified software, can have vulnerabilities.

Experts note that Android is more vulnerable than Apple's iOS.

Many smartphone users don't have security software, leaving dangers undetected, said Roxane Suau of Pradeo. She emphasized that users can improve security by adjusting phone settings, such as turning off Bluetooth, avoiding automatic Wi-Fi connections, and installing software updates promptly.