Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City

Security threats to smartphones weigh heavy at mobile industry meet

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 Mar 2025 12:42
3 Min Read

Protecting smartphone users from phishing, deepfakes, and malware is a key focus at this week's largest wireless technology conference.

Listen
  • x
  • Wide view from the Mobile World Congress (MWC) on March 4, 2025. (AFP)
    Wide view from the Mobile World Congress (MWC) on March 4, 2025. (AFP)

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.

Related News

Will the EU succeed in breaking the grip of teen smartphone addiction?

Gaming market in Africa expected to reach $1 billion: CNBC

'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.

  • Smartphone
  • Cybersecurity

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS