Mobile security covers the protection of smartphones, tablets, and closely related handheld devices, including their operating systems, applications, wireless connections, and stored data. These devices combine personal and business information with cellular, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and location services, and often provide access to cloud and corporate systems.
Material risks include malicious or over-privileged applications, phishing and fraudulent authentication prompts, unpatched operating-system or baseband vulnerabilities, and exposure after a device is lost or stolen. Security teams typically reduce these risks through timely updates, approved application sources, encryption, strong screen locks and phishing-resistant authentication where supported, and mobile-device management that enforces policy and can remove access or wipe business data. Application permissions and device telemetry also require privacy controls, particularly when personal and corporate data share the same device. Mobile vulnerability disclosures and incidents may require checking device models, operating-system versions, applications, and management coverage rather than treating all mobile devices as equivalent.