In 2025, mobile phones and tablets are becoming more important in our daily lives, particularly in our work and personal use. Tablet and mobile phones are useful in storing our personal information, managing our online banking and digital payments, helping remote employees, and connecting to our social media platforms.
Increased convenience means a higher threat of cyberattacks. Security for mobile phones is becoming more important, and securing your devices against possible attacks should also be your top concern.
You must create a mobile cyber security plan that balances ease and risk. There are numerous ways to do this, from keeping up with general threats to locking down your network access policies.
Here are the best practices for securing mobile devices and tablets and the new security threats in 2025.
Top Threats to Mobile Devices
1. Ransomware Attack
Nowadays, Android users, who have thrived, are one of the most susceptible to ransomware attacks. The spreading ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) makes it easier to install malicious programs that encrypt your files and demand a considerable payment.
Backup of data is an absolute necessity. It is ideal to do it regularly with anti-ransomware tools capable of detecting and decrypting data before encryption.
2. Phishing Scams
Phishing schemes powered by AI are becoming more prevalent, creating emails and texts that strangely accurately imitate reliable sources. Have you ever received silent phone calls from unknown numbers that end abruptly? Usually, a lousy actor is attempting to sample your voice. Keep silent. Deepfake phone calls and videos are so authentic today that it’s more complicated than ever to detect cheating.
Always verify the source before sharing information or opening links. Activate your device’s anti-phishing tool to detect suspicious activities.
3. Public WiFi threats
WiFi may allow data saving. But it can expose your device to hackers who prey on unsecured networks. Employ a VPN when using public WiFi. It secures your connection, so hackers would have difficulty accessing your data.
4. Data Leakage
Sometimes, mobile applications leak data unintentionally. People who give “riskware” applications extensive rights but don’t verify security are at risk. These free programs in legitimate app stores operate as described but transfer personal and perhaps business data to a distant server, where marketers and hackers mine it.
Mobile applications signed by hostile enterprises may expose data. They use iOS and Android distribution codes to hack data from business networks undetected.
Grant applications only the permissions they require to function to avoid these problems. Avoid applications that require too much.
Best Practices for Mobile Security in 2025
Use strong passwords and biometrics
Strong passwords or non-password-based authentication techniques like biometrics or device-bound passkeys rarely allow unauthorized access. At least eight characters plus a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters define a strong password.
Utilizing the “remember me” option will allow you to retain your credentials in other apps as they should be remembered from a browser. Password spoofing amplifies the risk; as such, this feature is not suggested for device owners or administrators.
Use VPN
Virtual Private Network (VPN) software is significant if you are unsure about the network’s security. It enables secure access to any network.
Also, when using public wifi, the VPN encrypts everything you do on the internet so nobody can watch what you do. Accessing less secure websites is another place where it proves helpful.
Having a VPN on your devices is essential and not expensive because it provides the assurance that you need to secure your personal information and online activities
Individuals with the proper networking and vulnerability scanning tools can observe sites that do not use HTTPS. The vulnerability of such sites to man-in-the-middle attacks opens the door for eavesdropping and password sniffing.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Passwords alone are insufficient. Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides extra protection, like securing our things in a cabinet or a door when we leave our house. If someone guesses your password and wants to access your account, they will also require another verifying mechanism—a text message sent to your cell phone. It provides an extra degree of safety and significantly enhances mobile security.
Install a mobile antivirus software
Dangerous threats could be included in the files and the apps you install on your phone. Once triggered, this code might send your data to malevolent individuals, undermining your security and violating your rights. A reputable antivirus program can improve your security and help lower this danger.
Some antivirus programs also have other capabilities, such as data erasure should a device be lost, the ability to recognize and block possibly harmful unrecognized calls, and the capacity to let you know which applications are unsafe. They also let you clean your browser history and cookies.
Small software tokens known as “cookies” contain sensitive data like your login credentials, which may be hacked if they fall into the wrong hands.
Encrypt your devices
Most mobile phones are equipped with built-in encryption. Encryption makes data unreadable. Decryption, however, makes unavailable data readable.
Encryption is required in case of theft and to block unauthorized access. To encrypt your phone, look for this feature and enter your password. Encrypting might take a while since it depends on the amount of your data, and you need more patience.
Remember that the encryption password is essential since it must be entered whenever you want to use your mobile device. Some mobile devices may delete all data after several failed attempts to input the encryption password, so backing up your data is a reasonable precaution.
Always make backups
Among the information that can be lost should someone have illegal access to your mobile device are your contacts and treasured photographic memories. Should someone find your phone or access credentials, you would want a backup to retrieve your information swiftly.
Creating scheduled backups when you aren’t actively using your phone—such as while sleeping or first thing in the morning—helps you save time and reduce disturbance. Duplicate every backup file to Google Drive, iCloud, or Microsoft OneDrive from an outside storage source.
Keep software updated
Keeping the mobile and tablet’s software updated may introduce new features and improve system performance. It also identifies vulnerabilities and fixes them.
That’s why you should not avoid this since it may put your devices at risk and may be exploited by cybercriminals.
It is important to update the operating system and programs installed today. It is the best method to guarantee that you have the highest possible level of security against any possible threats.
Final Thoughts
Given today’s increasing risks, mobile security is more important than ever. Although cybercriminals are attacking increasingly complexly, you can protect your phone and tablet from damage by following best practices and being aware.
VPNs, security software, strong passwords, biometric login, and software upgrades are among the many methods you may use to guard your data.
Keeping up with the latest security threats and the cybersecurity strategies 2025 will keep your mobile device secure and safe online.