Intelligent CISO Issue 32 | Page 58

Combatting Africa ’ s mobile cybercrime challenge

intelligent MOBILE SECURITY
Anna Collard , SVP of Content Strategy and Evangelist , KnowBe4 Africa
Anna Collard , SVP of Content Strategy and Evangelist , KnowBe4 Africa , addresses the mobile cybercrime challenge across the continent .
n June 2020 , Upstream ’ s

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Secure-D antifraud platform revealed that the total number of malicious mobile applications doubled in the first quarter of the year . The analysis found 29,000 malicious apps ( 14,500 in 2019 ), a 55 % spike in fraudulent mobile transactions and increased volumes of infected mobile devices . But that wasn ’ t the bad news . The company also revealed that some smartphones were being sold with malware already pre-installed on the system . Malware that allowed for the devices to subscribe unsuspecting users to services that would result in high data usage and charges . According to Anna Collard , SVP of Content Strategy
and Evangelist , KnowBe4 Africa , this growing problem , coupled with low levels of consumer awareness , puts people at significant risk .
“ In the KnowBe4 Security Culture Report 2020 , we found that there ’ s limited consumer understanding and awareness of cyberthreats and security in Africa ,” said Collard . “ If you add this to the fact that Africa is likely to see around a billion users come online in the next two years , it ’ s clear that there is a huge risk . Many of those who are going online are doing so for the first time using their mobile devices and they have no idea that their personal details can be stolen , their accounts hacked , or their data used for fraudulent purposes .”
Further adding weight to the problem , many people are using second-hand devices or old feature phones that can ’ t be updated . Often , the devices are so old that there isn ’ t even an update available , leaving them open for attack .
“ Africa has a low level of awareness and many people use old or second-hand devices that may be already infected – and the kicker ? Africa has the biggest footprint for mobile payment and mobile financial transactions in the world . Cybercriminals are well placed to focus
their attention on mobile banking trojans and malware , making this a ticking time bomb that needs an urgent solution .”
According to the IMF , Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where nearly 10 % of its gross domestic product is generated through mobile money . People use their mobile devices for salaries , payments , bills and shopping . A ticking time bomb , indeed .
The solution ? While there is no way to remove second-hand or old phones from the market and the hands of those who want to go online , there is a way to protect them from the risks : education .
“ Education is the best way to help people become more aware of the problems and the risks that they face ,” said Collard . “ If people understand malware , trojans and cybercrime , then they will be able to more easily identify why their data has spiked or why their devices are behaving strangely . They ’ ll know what to look for and they will be able to make informed decisions around their financial behaviour and device security . Collaboration between the telecommunications providers , financial institutions and security industry is needed to address this challenge head-on .” u
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