Computers have been victimized by malware and other forms of cyberattack for decades, and most computer users understand the importance of installing cybersecurity tools to keep their devices and data safe. Antivirus programs, firewalls, multi-factor authentication and more are essential tools for desktop and laptop computers.

Yet, few people have the same opinion when it comes to their mobile devices. In the past, smartphones and tablet computers were less likely to be targeted by cybercriminals because they were fewer in number, typically contained less valuable data and were slightly more difficult to access — but that is no longer the case. If you need help understanding why you need antivirus for phone and other mobile tools, look no further than the following astonishing statistics about mobile malware.

Strains of Mobile Malware Numbers in the Millions

Though the amount of mobile malware developed by cybercriminals pales in comparison to the amount of malware targeting desktop and laptop computers, cybercriminals are beginning to devote more resources toward attacking mobile devices. For years, mobile computing has outpaced traditional computing. Though mobile devices have previously been more difficult for hackers to access, constantly improving tech knowledge and skill is allowing cybercriminals to create the mobile malware they need to infiltrate users’ devices and steal their data.

In just the first quarter of 2022, mobile security programs blocked over 6.46 million mobile malware, adware and riskware attacks — but not every mobile user has antivirus protection. In fact, even as the threat of mobile malware is growing at a break-neck pace, adoption of comprehensive security apps is relatively slow, which means that there could be untold millions of devices that are already infected with mobile malware and apt to experience additional infections in the coming months and years. Unfortunately, because so few mobile users are investing in high-quality protection, cybercriminals will continue to invest resources into developing more varieties of mobile malware.

Mobile Malware Hides in Legitimate Channels

In the past, mobile users were strongly warned to download apps only from approved locations, like the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Indeed, these spaces are much less likely to contain corrupted applications than third-party sites, on which cybercriminals routinely plant overtly malicious programs to infect mobile devices. Apple, Google and other mobile manufacturers strive to vet every app available in their stores, which means they can easily eliminate dangerous programs.

Unfortunately, increasingly, mobile malware is making its way onto users devices through these approved, legitimate channels. Most often, cybercriminals are hiding malicious codes within advertisements on popular apps, so when users interact with those ads, their devices become infected. Until app stores can find ways to eliminate this method of attack, users’ only hope for protection from mobile malware is a mobile antivirus solution.

Mobile Malware Attacks Are Devastating

Malware attacks are almost always traumatic, but mobile malware can be particularly devastating. In addition to being equipped with a larger number of security programs, traditional computers also tend to be easier for users to manipulate, providing a greater ability for users to recover from an attack with greater speed. In contrast, the most popular mobile operating system is closed, giving users exceedingly limited ability to modify settings — and when something goes wrong, they have almost no recourse.

Mobile devices contain multitudes of valuable data, from login credentials to personal photos, all of which cybercriminals are interested in pilfering. A growing amount of mobile malware falls into the banking malware category, which strives to access and deplete users’ bank accounts and payment cards. However, ransomware and adware are also popular mobile attacks, both of which render expensive mobile devices essentially useless.

Worse, though most computers remain connected to a single network, mobile devices travel with users and connect to various networks. In doing so, users could spread the malware infecting their device to other mobile devices on the same network. Workplaces with BYOD policies may suffer greater numbers of attacks if employers are not working with their staff to keep approved devices protected from mobile malware.

It is no longer appropriate to assume that your mobile device is inherently safe from attack. The sooner you equip your phone, tablet computer and other mobile tools with antivirus solutions, the stronger your mobile security will be.