2015 Mobile Threat Report

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What Does 2015 Mobile Threat Report Do?

The 2015 Mobile Threat Report, authored by the Pulse Secure Mobile Threat Center, provides a data-driven overview of the escalating security risks facing mobile platforms. This document serves as a technical resource for understanding the surge in digital threats, noting that nearly one million unique malicious applications were produced in 2014 alone. This represents a 391 percent increase in volume compared to the previous year.

The report highlights that Android devices continue to be the primary target for attackers, with 97 percent of all mobile malware aimed at the platform. Much of this malicious activity is concentrated in unregulated third-party app stores within the Middle East and Asia. Key findings detailed in the report include:

• The top 10 malware threats identified in 2014 all possessed the capability to generate profit via SMS premium services or integrated ad networks.
• While iOS attacks typically target jailbroken devices, the emergence of WireLurker demonstrated that non-jailbroken devices can be infected through infected Mac hardware.
• The analysis identifies specific threat vectors and common misuses that have led to a significant spike in mobile device risk.

By utilizing this report, users and security professionals can gain insight into the around-the-clock research conducted by Pulse Secure. The content focuses on factual analysis of vulnerabilities and the mechanisms used to exploit mobile device platforms globally.

Top 5 Reasons To Download 2015 Mobile Threat Report

1. The 391 Percent Surge: Understanding the Unprecedented Explosion of Mobile Malware
2. Critical Android Intel: Why 97 Percent of Malware Targets the World’s Most Popular OS
3. Financial Fortification: Learning How Top 10 Threats Drain Your Bank Account via SMS Scams
4. The Third-Party Trap: Identifying the Global Hotspots for Unregulated and Dangerous Apps
5. Shattering the iOS Safety Myth: Exploring New Vulnerabilities Like WireLurker and Tethering Attacks

In the rapidly evolving world of personal technology, we often find ourselves obsessed with the latest hardware specs, the crispness of a new display, or the processing power of a silicon chip. But as a tech reviewer who has seen the rise and fall of countless digital ecosystems, I can tell you that there is one thing we consistently overlook: the sheer vulnerability of the devices we carry in our pockets. We live our entire lives through our smartphones—our banking, our private conversations, our work emails, and our family photos are all stored on these handheld computers. Yet, how much do we actually know about the invisible war being waged against our digital privacy?

The 2015 Mobile Threat Report is not just another PDF; it is an essential survival guide for the modern digital age. Produced by the Pulse Secure Mobile Threat Center, this report is the culmination of around-the-clock security research, vulnerability testing, and malware analysis. If you think your phone is safe because you have a passcode or because you "don't visit weird websites," you are in for a serious wake-up call. This giveaway is a goldmine of data that every smartphone user, IT professional, and tech enthusiast needs to read. Here is why you need to download this report immediately.

1. The 391 Percent Surge: Understanding the Unprecedented Explosion of Mobile Malware

The first and perhaps most staggering reason to download this report is the sheer volume of threats it uncovers. In 2014 alone, security researchers identified nearly one million unique malicious applications. To put that in perspective, that represents a 391 percent increase from the previous year. When we talk about a "spike" in security risks, we are usually looking at small, incremental gains. A nearly 400 percent jump is not a spike; it is an explosion. This report breaks down exactly why this happened and what it means for the future of mobile security.

As a reviewer, I am constantly asked if "mobile antivirus" is actually necessary. For years, the answer was a cautious "maybe." However, the data in this report suggests that the answer is now a resounding "yes." When hackers are pumping out a million unique variants of malware, they aren't just looking for the low-hanging fruit; they are casting a massive net designed to catch everyone. By downloading this report, you get a deep dive into the Mobile Threat Center's findings, allowing you to see the evolution of these attacks. You’ll learn how malware has transitioned from simple annoyances to sophisticated, multi-layered software that can hide within your device for months without being detected. Understanding the scale of the problem is the first step toward protecting yourself, and no other document captures this scale as effectively as this report.

2. Critical Android Intel: Why 97 Percent of Malware Targets the World’s Most Popular OS

If you are an Android user, this report is quite literally written for you. The statistics provided by the Pulse Secure team are eye-opening: a staggering 97 percent of all mobile malware developed in 2014 was aimed squarely at Android. As tech reviewers, we love Android for its flexibility, its open-source nature, and the freedom it gives users to customize their experience. However, that very same openness is exactly what makes it a prime target for malicious actors. This report explains the structural vulnerabilities that make Android so attractive to hackers.

The Mobile Threat Report doesn't just throw numbers at you; it analyzes the threat vectors that lead to these infections. It discusses how the fragmented nature of the Android ecosystem—where different manufacturers and carriers take months to push out security updates—creates a "security lag" that hackers exploit. By downloading this giveaway, you will learn which versions of the OS are most at risk and what specific behaviors make you a target. It’s not about abandoning the platform; it’s about hardening your device. This report provides the intelligence you need to use your Android phone safely, teaching you how to navigate the ecosystem without falling victim to the millions of threats designed to compromise your data. If you value your privacy, you cannot afford to ignore the specific Android-centric research found in these pages.

3. Financial Fortification: Learning How Top 10 Threats Drain Your Bank Account via SMS Scams

We often think of malware as something that steals our passwords or slows down our phones. While that is true, the 2015 Mobile Threat Report highlights a much more immediate and painful danger: direct financial theft. One of the most critical findings in the report is that the ability to take profit from an end user—specifically through SMS premium services or malicious ad networks—is a core capability of every single one of the top 10 malware threats identified in 2014.

This is where the threat becomes "real" for the average consumer. Hackers aren't just looking for your identity; they are looking for your money, and they’ve found a way to get it without even needing your credit card number. By infecting a device, these malicious apps can silently subscribe a user to premium-rate SMS services that charge massive fees directly to their carrier bill. You might not even notice the theft until you receive a bill for hundreds of dollars at the end of the month. This report details how these ad networks are weaponized and how the "top 10" threats operate to maximize their profit. Understanding the mechanics of these financial attacks is the only way to safeguard your wallet. The Pulse Secure team has done the heavy lifting by identifying these trends, and downloading this report gives you the "cheat sheet" you need to spot these scams before they hit your bank account.

4. The Third-Party Trap: Identifying the Global Hotspots for Unregulated and Dangerous Apps

One of the most valuable aspects of this report is its geographic and systemic analysis of where malware originates. The report finds that the overwhelming majority of Android malware is being developed and distributed in unregulated third-party app stores, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. For a tech reviewer, this is a crucial point of education. We often see users "sideloading" apps or using alternative stores to find "free" versions of paid apps or to access content not available in their region. This report proves that this practice is a digital minefield.

When you download this report, you get a clear picture of why these unregulated stores are so dangerous. Unlike the official Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, these third-party markets often lack any form of rigorous security screening. Hackers take popular apps, inject them with malicious code, and re-upload them for unsuspecting users to download. The Mobile Threat Report provides an in-depth look at the infrastructure of these "shadow markets." It serves as a stark warning and an educational tool for anyone who thinks they are getting a "deal" by using an unofficial store. By understanding the risks of the global app landscape, you can make better decisions about where you source your software and how you manage your device's security settings. This information is vital for anyone who travels internationally or works in a global corporate environment.

5. Shattering the iOS Safety Myth: Exploring New Vulnerabilities Like WireLurker and Tethering Attacks

For years, iOS users have operated under a veil of perceived invincibility. "I have an iPhone, so I don't need to worry about malware" is a sentiment I hear almost every day. However, the 2015 Mobile Threat Report completely shatters this myth. While it confirms that the majority of iOS attacks still target jailbroken devices, it introduces a terrifying new development: WireLurker. This was the first major example of a non-jailbroken iOS device being infected through a process called tethering.

This is a game-changer in the world of mobile security. WireLurker works by infecting a Mac computer and then waiting for an iPhone or iPad to be plugged in via a USB cable. Once tethered, the malware can jump from the computer to the mobile device, even if that device hasn't been modified or "hacked" by the user. This report is one of the few places where you can find a comprehensive breakdown of this specific threat and how it signaled a new era of iOS vulnerability. If you are an Apple user, you need to download this report to understand that your security is no longer guaranteed just by the brand of your phone. The Pulse Secure research shows that as mobile devices become our primary computers, hackers are finding increasingly creative ways to bypass even the most locked-down systems. This report provides the necessary "reality check" for the Apple community and offers insights into how to protect your Apple ecosystem from cross-platform infections.

In conclusion, the 2015 Mobile Threat Report is an indispensable resource for anyone who takes their digital life seriously. We are living in an era where the threats are growing at a rate of 391 percent, where 97 percent of malware is laser-focused on the world's most popular operating system, and where even "safe" devices like iPhones are being compromised via USB tethering. The Pulse Secure Mobile Threat Center has provided us with a roadmap through this dangerous landscape. This report isn't just about "fear"; it’s about empowerment through knowledge. By understanding the common misuses of mobile devices and the specific threat vectors used by criminals, you can protect your data, your privacy, and your money.

Do not wait until you see a suspicious charge on your bill or find your personal photos leaked online. The information contained in this giveaway is the first line of defense in a world where your smartphone is the primary target. Download the report today, read the findings from the experts at Pulse Secure, and take control of your digital security. It is the most important download you will make this year.