Apps you don’t recognize

Review the complete list of apps installed on your phone. If you spot applications you don’t remember downloading or that seem suspicious, this is a red flag. Many spyware apps disguise themselves with innocuous names or hide within folders. To view the list of installed apps, you can use the scan feature in dfndr security.

Battery draining fast

Spyware runs silently in the background, consuming resources. If your battery suddenly drains much faster than usual—even without heavy usage—it could indicate hidden surveillance software.

Device overheating

Unusual overheating, especially while your phone is idle or performing basic functions, may be a sign that malicious apps are running behind the scenes.

System slowdowns and freezes

If your phone becomes sluggish, apps crash, or the operating system feels buggy, spyware could be stealing system resources for its activities.

Unusual data usage

Watch for unexplained spikes in your monthly data usage. Spy apps often transmit information back to the attacker using your cellular data, so increased usage with no clear cause deserves attention.

Messages marked as read

If your texts or messages appear as read before you’ve opened them, this could mean someone—or something—is accessing them without your consent.

Strange sounds during calls

Persistent echoes, static, or faint voices during phone calls might signal that spyware is listening in or recording your conversations.

Unfamiliar files or settings

Find files, photos, or changed settings you didn’t create or modify? These artifacts can be leftover evidence of spying apps.

How to protect yourself

• Always inspect app permissions and review what access each app has to your device (camera, microphone, location).

• Run a full scan with a trusted antivirus, such as dfndr security, which detects and removes hidden spy apps and threats automatically.

• Keep your operating system and all apps updated to defend against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

Proactive Tools

Modern apps like dfndr security have features to display all installed apps, monitor for privacy risks, provide real-time protection against malware, and alert users about leaked data or unauthorized access. Using such solutions along with general awareness greatly reduces your risk.

Your best defense is vigilance: question unfamiliar apps, strange device behavior, and always be mindful of your digital footprint. Stay protected by keeping your phone secure and up to date.

Common tactics used by scammers

• Shortened or masked links: Attackers use shortened URLs or complex domain names to obscure the true destination, making it difficult to spot a dangerous link before clicking.

• Deceptive promises and urgency: Phishing messages often promise sweepstakes winnings, flash sales, package deliveries, or urgent bank notifications to lure users into clicking quickly without thinking.

• Fake websites and data entry forms: Clicking a malicious link may redirect you to a convincing fake website where you’re asked to input sensitive details—like banking data, Social Security numbers, or passwords—or may silently trigger a malware download.

• Impersonation tactics: Scammers frequently impersonate trusted organizations—such as banks, government agencies (e.g., IRS), or online retailers—to legitimize their claims and increase the likelihood of success.

• Social media exploits: On platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, fake profiles or posts lure users with job offers, urgent security warnings, or giveaway announcements, often prompting users to click malicious links or divulge private information.

Real-world impact

• Financial loss and data theft: These attacks can result in financial fraud, identity theft, and corporate data breaches.

• Malware and ransomware: Malicious links can install viruses or ransomware on personal or work devices, sometimes encrypting files and demanding a ransom in return for data restoration.

Tips to Protect Yourself

• Preview before clicking: On a desktop, hover your mouse over a link to reveal its destination. On mobile, press and hold the link for a preview. Avoid clicking if the destination looks suspicious or is unfamiliar.

• Beware of unknown senders: Avoid clicking on links from unknown or unsolicited sources, whether by email, text, or direct message.

• Look for signs of deception: Watch for URL misspellings, extra symbols or hyphens, unrecognized domain names, and urgent language or threats of account suspension.

• Use security solutions: Consider security tools like URL defenses or anti-phishing filters offered by major security providers and popular email services.

• Be skeptical of official requests: U.S. government agencies like the IRS or USPS will not demand personal data or payment over email or text. Always verify through official channels if in doubt.

• Report suspicious messages: You can report phishing attempts to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or, in the case of IRS-related scams, to phishing@irs.gov.

Ready to take your mobile security to the next level?

Discover how dfndr security can help protect your devices and data. 

As threats like phishing and data breaches rise, organizations and individuals are seeking more robust ways to protect sensitive information.

Biometric authentication—using unique biological characteristics such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns—has emerged as a leading solution. Here are five compelling reasons to use biometrics to secure your mobile devices:

1. Eliminates the Threat of Passwords

Passwords remain one of the weakest links in mobile security. Over 80% of company data breaches are attributed to weak or stolen passwords. Many users still rely on simple, easily guessed passwords or reuse the same password across multiple accounts, making it easier for hackers to gain unauthorized access. Biometrics remove this vulnerability by replacing passwords with something unique to each user, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches.

Read more: How many different passwords should you have?

2. More Convenient for Users

Remembering and resetting passwords can be frustrating and time-consuming. Biometric authentication streamlines the process—users can unlock their devices or access sensitive apps with a simple fingerprint scan or facial recognition. This not only saves time but also enhances the user experience, as you can’t forget your fingerprint or face.

3. Greater Accountability

Biometrics provide a clear audit trail of who accessed a device or network and when. Unlike passwords, which can be shared or stolen, biometric data is unique to each individual. This accountability is crucial for organizations that need to track access and investigate potential security incidents.

4. Widespread Adoption and Trust

Biometric technology is rapidly becoming the standard for mobile security. Over 60% of employers already use biometrics in the workplace, and nearly half use it specifically to secure mobile devices. As more consumers and businesses adopt this technology, its effectiveness and reliability continue to improve.

5. High Return on Investment (ROI)

Implementing biometric security can lead to significant cost savings. By reducing the risk of costly data breaches and minimizing the need for password resets and IT support, organizations can achieve a high ROI. For example, one bank reported a 191% ROI after adopting biometric authentication.

Therefore, we use biometrics in the dfndr security applock.

Ready to take your mobile security to the next level?

Discover how dfndr security can help protect your devices and data. 

Article originally published by: https://www.cshub.com/mobile/articles/5-reasons-to-use-biometrics-to-secure-mobile-devices

1. Ransomware Resurgence

Ransomware attacks on Android devices have surged, fueled by the rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platforms. Attackers deploy advanced malware that encrypts user data and demands payment for its release. These attacks are increasingly targeting not just individuals but also businesses, with devastating consequences for those who lack regular backups or robust mobile security measures. DFNDR Security offers protection against these threats.

2. AI-Driven Phishing and Social Engineering

Artificial intelligence is now being used to craft highly convincing phishing messages, emails, and even voice calls. These AI-powered attacks can mimic trusted contacts or institutions with alarming accuracy, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent communications. SMS phishing (smishing) and voice phishing (vishing) are on the rise, often bypassing traditional security filters. DFNDR Security, a leading antivirus for Android, can help identify and block these phishing attempts.

3. Exploitation of Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities—security flaws that are unknown to device manufacturers and unpatched. Attackers move quickly to take advantage of these weaknesses before security updates are released, putting millions of Android devices at risk. The March 2025 Android Security Bulletin addressed 44 vulnerabilities, including two that were actively exploited in the wild, highlighting the urgency of timely updates. Keeping DFNDR Security, your antivirus for Android, updated is crucial.

4. Malicious and Counterfeit Apps

Even official app stores are not immune to infiltration by malicious or counterfeit applications. These apps can harvest personal data, activate device sensors (like microphones and cameras), or install additional malware. The risk is even higher when users sideload apps from unofficial sources. Fake banking and utility apps are particularly prevalent, often designed to steal credentials and financial information. DFNDR Security, a reliable antivirus for Android, can detect and remove these malicious apps.

5. Mobile Banking Trojans

Mobile banking Trojans are becoming the most significant threat to Android users in the U.S. These sophisticated malware variants disguise themselves as legitimate apps, intercepting SMS messages, stealing login credentials, and even bypassing two-factor authentication. Their ability to remain undetected while siphoning off sensitive data makes them especially dangerous. DFNDR Security, your partner in mobile security, offers protection against these Trojans.

6. Rogue Wi-Fi Hotspots and IoT Integration Risks

Cybercriminals are setting up rogue Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, tricking users into connecting and then intercepting their data. The growing integration of Android devices with IoT (Internet of Things) gadgets further expands the attack surface, allowing attackers to compromise multiple devices simultaneously. DFNDR Security, the antivirus for Android you need, helps protect your connection.

7. Advanced Spyware and Surveillance Tools

Spyware and surveillance malware are increasingly targeting Android devices, capable of tracking location, recording conversations, accessing cameras, and stealing stored data. These tools are often used in targeted attacks against individuals and organizations, sometimes backed by state actors. With DFNDR Security, your mobile security is enhanced.

The threat landscape for Android users in the United States in 2025 is more complex and dangerous than ever. Staying protected requires vigilance, regular software updates, cautious app installation, and the use of trusted mobile security solutions like DFNDR Security, the best antivirus for Android.

Ready to defend your Android device against these and other emerging threats?

Discover dfndr security, your trusted antivirus for Android.

Caution Flags 

The radical simplicity and irresistible pull of the Coinbase spot was the talk of the post-game ad reviews. But out of the din of this discussion came another message — this one from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Inc Magazine’s Jason Aten pointed to a warning they had issued a month prior to the big game – the first lines lay out the situation quite clearly:

The FBI is issuing this announcement to raise awareness of malicious Quick Response (QR) codes. Cybercriminals are tampering with QR codes to redirect victims to malicious sites that steal login and financial information.

QR Codes Are Back, And Bigger Than Ever

Once again, it seems that bad actors have seized on a popular trend to help them do their dirty work. A simple technology dating back to the 90’s, QR Codes are on the rise lately – as they’ve become a very effective digital tool for marketers who want to quickly convert mobile phone readers into shoppers and buyers. The Wikipedia entry on QR codes gives you a quick grasp of just how powerful they can be when scanned on a mobile phone:

QR codes may be used to display text to the user, to open a webpage on the user’s device, to add a Card contact to the user’s device, to open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), to connect to a wireless network, or to compose an email or text message.

All you have to do is think about how hackers might use that kind of power, and you can quickly see that indiscriminate scanning of QR codes could lead you into some serious trouble. 

Two Primary Sources of QR Code Danger

The first danger with malicious QR codes is the fact that they can transport you seamlessly to a fake website. As with most hacks, the first layer of the transaction seems to be legitimate: the QR code works! The user arrives at a site that has the offer or information they were seeking. 

And this is when many users will let their guard down, and fail to notice telltale signs that the site isn’t legitimate. Super-sweetened offers can also play a role in softening up otherwise careful users. The bad website can be a collection point for private information and financial data, and the path to financial losses and ID Theft is paved.

The second danger is QR codes that include malware themselves. Once again, let’s turn to the FBI for — “just the facts”:

Malicious QR codes may also contain embedded malware, allowing a criminal to gain access to the victim’s mobile device and steal the victim’s location as well as personal and financial information. The cybercriminal can leverage the stolen financial information to withdraw funds from victim accounts.

That’s about as bad as it can get. So, short of forsaking the use of all QR codes — how do you defend yourself?

What Can You Do?

Here are the five steps you can take – we discuss each below in more detail:

1. Get informed about what QR codes are and what they can do.
2. Make sure your device has good security software.
3. Use that security software regularly!
4. Before scanning any QR code, scan “the situation.” 
5. Make sure you land where you expected to!

You’ll be glad to know that you’re well on your way to completing the first step. We hope this article has helped in this regard, and if you want to get even more up-to-date on potential threats to you and your mobile device, we highly recommend these two companion articles:

Six Ways That Cybercriminals Try To Take Over Your Device – QR codes are covered here along with several other traps, like WiFi Honeypots, Fake Apps, and even Subtitles in Streaming Apps. Do give it a careful read – lots to learn here.

Can a QR Code Be Used In A Phishing Attack? – If you’ve followed us so far, you know the answer to this question is YES! But hit the link to get more information on how QR codes can bait the hook for hackers’ big Phishing expeditions.

Security Help

If you’re using dfndr security, make sure you activate the anti-hacking feature to protect you from scams and malware. dfndr security PRO plan also has a dedicated Safe App function to help sniff out apps that contain malware, and also provides complete Identity Theft reports should you suspect trouble.

Eyes Up!

But your awareness is always going to be your first line of defense. Remember that QR codes primary benefit is to help you connect to a specific spot on the web without your having to type in a URL. The “fun” of seeing this work is no doubt a major part of the success of that Coinbase ad. 

If you decide you do want to scan a QR code – make sure you can verify it’s from a trusted source, and take a good close look at the surroundings: the copy and design, the context of use. Is the code stuck on a wall outside a club? Or did it come to you via a traceable source like a mass mailing? If you can verify that the code is from a trustworthy source – make sure the landing spot is what you expected it to be.  

Just remember what your friends in the FBI told you: a QR code isn’t a game to be taken lightly — or a Pokemon type game where you have to capture and collect. They serve a very specific function, and they’re more powerful than they look. Treat QR codes with the same caution you’d give to any unknown app or web address.