Do you really know how much your team understands about mobile security? Adopting a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policy can be a great idea: it offers flexibility, boosts productivity, and cuts costs. But if not properly planned, it can also open the door to the number one threat of the digital age: mobile malware.
Although malware attacks on smartphones have decreased since their peak in 2016, that doesn’t mean the risk is gone. In fact, just one infected employee is enough for cybercriminals to gain access to confidential information, emails, passwords, or critical business data.
That’s why, if your company is implementing (or considering implementing) a BYOD program, it’s crucial to do so with a solid strategy that minimizes the risk of mobile attacks. At TecnetOne, we’ve put together this guide with four essential best practices that every IT team should follow to protect their devices, strengthen corporate security, and keep company data completely safe.
What Is Mobile Malware and Why Is It Important to Stop It?
The term mobile malware refers to all types of malicious software that target mobile devices (phones, tablets) running operating systems like Android or iOS. This includes trojans, ransomware, spyware, aggressive adware, and other variants.
Although many users believe their smartphone is “secure by default,” the reality is that just one infected device can compromise personal data, passwords, banking credentials, digital identity—or, in business contexts, sensitive corporate information.
Why Is the Threat Still Relevant?
Even though some reports show that mobile infection rates have dropped since their 2016 peak, the risk persists. Reasons include:
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The proliferation of mobile apps, often with extensive permissions.
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Widespread use of personal devices for work (“BYOD” = bring your own device).
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Fragmentation in mobile operating systems (especially Android), making it hard for all devices to receive timely security patches.
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The fact that cybercriminals see mobile devices as profitable targets, with multiple attack vectors—from public Wi-Fi networks to SMS phishing.
Consequences of an Infection
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Theft of credentials, passwords, or banking data.
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Installation of malicious apps running in the background (spyware).
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Unauthorized access to corporate networks or email if the device is also used for work.
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Data loss or locked devices in ransomware attacks.
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In corporate environments: reputational damage, compliance fines, and data breaches.
For all these reasons, it’s essential to adopt a mobile protection strategy that goes beyond simply “installing an antivirus app and calling it a day.”
Best Practices to Strengthen Mobile Security in Your Company
1 – Know Your Device’s Operating System
The first step to protecting yourself is understanding the differences between mobile operating systems, how they handle security patches, and how exposed they are to vulnerabilities.
Android vs iOS: Key Differences
On iOS, Apple maintains a more closed ecosystem, controlling both hardware and software, distributing updates uniformly, and enforcing stricter app store policies. As a result, there’s less system fragmentation.
Android, on the other hand, includes a wide range of manufacturers, operating system versions, custom UI layers, and updates that can be delayed—or never arrive at all—depending on the model or region. This creates “patch gaps” that attackers can exploit.
What Can You Do as a User?
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Make sure your mobile device is running the latest version of its operating system.
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Enable automatic security updates (when available).
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Avoid using older phones that no longer receive manufacturer patches.
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If you use Android, consider buying from manufacturers with a strong update track record; check forums or review sites for patch frequency.
For Companies Managing Mobile Devices
If you work in a corporate environment, ensure that your IT policy clearly distinguishes between platforms, requires regular updates, and maintains an inventory of devices with outdated versions that should be phased out or restricted.
2 – Establish a Mobile Security Policy
A key part of protection is not leaving mobile security to chance, but implementing clear, well-communicated rules that apply to both personal and corporate devices.
What Should a Good Mobile Policy Include?
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Mandatory Authentication: Require PINs, fingerprints, or facial recognition for device access.
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Data Encryption: Ensure devices encrypt data at rest to protect it in case of loss or theft.
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App Permission Management: Users or administrators should review what permissions installed apps request.
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Role- or Group-Based Access: Not all users need full access—segment access based on job function.
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Approved/Blocked App Lists: Favor official app stores, and block alternative stores on devices handling sensitive data.
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Use of Secure Networks: Ban connections to untrusted public Wi-Fi networks, or at least enforce VPN use when accessing them.
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User Education: Train employees on phishing risks, malicious apps, and insecure networks.
Benefits for the Company and the User
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Reduced risk of data breaches.
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Improved perception of corporate security.
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Increased user confidence in both their device and the company.
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A solid foundation for effectively deploying technical tools like MDM (Mobile Device Management).
Types of Devices and BYOD Scenarios
When allowing employees to use their own devices, you should:
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Establish clear rules for separating personal and corporate data (containerization).
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Define what happens if an employee leaves the company (remote wipe, access revocation).
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Maintain an up-to-date inventory of approved devices.
Read more: What is patch management?
3 – Apply Desktop Security Tools to Mobile Devices
A smart practice is not to start from scratch with mobile security, but to extend to mobile devices the tools and techniques that already work on your desktop or laptop computers.
How to Bring That Strategy to Mobile
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Firewall / Secure Tunnel / VPN: While more common on PCs, these can also protect mobile devices—blocking malicious traffic and preventing apps from connecting to suspicious servers.
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Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS/IPS) for Mobile: Monitor unusual behavior, unauthorized connections, etc. (though mobile implementation may require specialized solutions).
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Activity Logging and Monitoring: Registered devices should send logs to a central system to detect anomalies.
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Network Segmentation: Even mobile devices can connect to a corporate network; in such cases, segmentation ensures traffic comes from a more secure environment.
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Use the Same Security Vendor: If you're already using a security solution for PCs and Macs, check if it offers a mobile module too. This gives you unified protection. With TecnetProtect, for example, you can manage the security of PCs, Macs, and smartphones from a single platform, simplifying management and reducing vulnerabilities across your company's tech infrastructure.
Advantages of This Approach
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Fewer security silos: All platforms are covered under the same standard.
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Fewer surprises for users: The corporate strategy is consistent across devices.
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Better visibility for IT teams: Mobile devices are seen as part of the overall network—not as separate entities.
Practical Recommendations
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Evaluate your current (or planned) security solution and ensure it includes a mobile module.
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Set up alerts: For example, when a phone connects to a public network or installs an unauthorized app.
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Require users to install the corporate mobile security app (or enroll their device) before accessing email or sensitive data.
4 – Adopt a Mobile Device Management (MDM/MAM) Plan
Mobile device management is the backbone of any corporate mobile security strategy. Tools like Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Mobile Application Management (MAM) allow you to control, monitor, and protect the mobile devices that access corporate systems.
What Does an MDM/MAM Do?
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Registers all authorized mobile devices.
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Automatically enforces security policies (lockscreen, encryption, updates).
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Controls which apps can be installed, what permissions are granted, and what data is shared.
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Allows remote data wiping in case of loss or theft.
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Maintains hardware and software inventory: see which device has what OS version, installed apps, etc.
Key Benefits
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Prevents unauthorized devices from accessing corporate resources.
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Enhances risk control, especially in BYOD environments.
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Supports security audits and compliance requirements.
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Improves incident response capability for mobile security threats.
Implementation Recommendations
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Require employees to enroll their devices in the MDM system before accessing email or corporate systems.
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Define a clear offboarding process: when an employee leaves, their device must be unenrolled and corporate data deleted or blocked.
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Keep the entire inventory up to date: manufacturer, model, OS version, and security status.
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Automate whenever possible: access provisioning, revocation, blocking unauthorized apps, and more.
Additional Best Practices to Strengthen Mobile Security
Beyond the four key areas covered earlier, there are additional actions that can significantly enhance your protection:
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Use trusted Wi-Fi networks and avoid automatic connections to public networks. If you must use public Wi-Fi, activate a VPN.
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Be cautious with suspicious links and messages via SMS or WhatsApp—mobile phishing is on the rise.
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Only install apps from official sources (App Store, Google Play) and review the permissions each app requests.
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Avoid rooting or jailbreaking your device, as this creates additional security vulnerabilities.
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Back up your device regularly so that in case of an attack, you can restore your data without paying ransom or losing information.
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Keep your hardware updated, and replace devices that no longer receive security patches from the manufacturer.
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Educate users: Employees or device users need to understand that their phone is part of the corporate network—or their digital life—and that unsafe behaviors (like installing unverified apps, using unprotected public Wi-Fi, or storing weak passwords) can lead to serious problems.
Conclusion
Today, mobile devices are a natural extension of the workplace. Smartphones and tablets have become essential tools for productivity, communication, and business management. However, this same level of connectivity also expands the attack surface and increases the risk of security incidents.
Instead of restricting or banning personal device use, companies should adopt a smart, preventive approach: implement clear policies, unified management solutions, and robust protection tools that ensure security without compromising team efficiency.
At TecnetOne, we believe mobile security should be just as strong as any other critical point in the corporate network. That’s why, with TecnetProtect, we help organizations protect their PCs, Macs, and mobile devices from a single platform—ensuring comprehensive defense against malware and modern threats.
