- Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Mobile devices are quickly becoming the most common way for people to access the Internet. Although smartphone use in the U.S. currently lags behind use in many Asian countries, mobile devices are becoming more popular. This means that mobile phone users will need to start paying attention to the same security risks that they look for when using their laptops and PCs. The latest version of Google’s Android operating system could offer increased security that will keep smartphone users safe while they surf the Web.
Clickjacking Threats on the Internet
“Gingerbread,” as Google has dubbed their latest Android OS, protects mobile device users from clickjack attacks. Clickjack attacks are hidden elements on a website that can be used to run scripts without the user’s knowledge. In theory, they could cause you to do anything from making purchases on Amazon.com to downloading spyware.
Stopping Clickjacks on Your Phone
To date, the best protection has been to avoid questionable sites. For instance, you should only visit video, game, and bingo sites that you trust. An application called NoScript helped for a while, but hackers quickly found ways around it. Since NoScript was never available for mobile devices, smartphone users never even had that protection.
The latest Android update, however, promises to alert users when they encounter clickjacked links. It also prevents them from unintentionally following hidden links.
Will Androids Security Measure Work?
So far, the updated Android OS seems to help users avoid clickjacks. As with most Internet security applications, though, it will only work for so long before a hacker figures out a way to catch unsuspecting Internet users with another trick. That’s why it is important for smartphone users to keep their operating systems updated. Recently updated operating systems are less susceptible to viruses and clickjacks. Using the latest version helps ensure that you can avoid the latest attacks.
