third-party applications, extensions, and patches from outside Apple’s App Store.

Android, on the other hand, uses the Linux kernel. And all Unix-based operating systems have the concept of a “root” user. This root user has administrative privileges. By default, an Android user does not have administrative privileges on his Android device. Rooting is a technique that gives a user administrative privileges on his device.

While most users jailbreak or root a device to install third-party applications, this jailbreaking or rooting can seriously compromise the security of a mobile device. Jailbreaking or rooting is often done by applying kernel patches that bypass the security features provided by the device manufacturer. Hence, a jailbroken device or rooted device is less secure than a device that is not jailbroken or rooted.

So, if a device is jailbroken or rooted, then the user needs to take additional precautions to secure the device. The user should use anti-malware programs from trusted sources and should never install untrusted apps from dubious sources. One should install apps only from the official app store and review the app permissions before installing the apps.

3. Malicious Apps

Attackers often use compromised apps to infect a user’s mobile device. These compromised apps usually ask for additional permissions from a user than is needed. Then the app exploits the additional permissions to perform malicious activities like accessing sensitive information, reading texts and emails, using network connections for illegitimate purposes, etc.

So, one should download apps only from the official app store and review the app permissions before downloading the app.

If a device is jailbroken or rooted and the user downloads a compromised app on the device, the effect can be serious. The malware can easily bypass the security features provided by the device manufacturer and perform almost any malicious action.

4. Outdated and un-updated apps on a device

Sometimes an application gets discontinued from the app store for various reasons. It may get discontinued because of containing malware or violating any other standard policy. The developer of the application also can discontinue the application for various reasons.

After the application gets discontinued, the users of the application do not usually get any notification about it. Sometimes, the developers may opt for sending a notification on discontinuation of the application. But, in most cases, the developers or the app stores do not. As a result, the users remain unaware of the fact.

Sometimes the users fail to notice that the application is not getting updated for a long time, or the users do not bother to update it for a long time. And the application becomes outdated.

After an application becomes outdated, it can be used by attackers for all malicious purposes.

As the users are mostly unaware of the fact that an application has become outdated, they may look for an update for the …