Which of the following is a significant mobile platform attack vector?

Question

Options

• AApp-based threats
• BPhysical threats only
• CDesktop malware
• DServer-side buffer overflows

• A
  93% (38)
• B
  5% (2)
• D
  2% (1)

Explanation

App-based threats (A) are a primary mobile attack vector because smartphones rely heavily on downloaded applications, which can contain malware, spyware, or malicious code that exploits device permissions and user data - making the app ecosystem a major security concern for mobile platforms.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• B (Physical threats only) is too narrow; mobile platforms face many non-physical attack vectors like network interception and app exploits.
• C (Desktop malware) targets traditional computers, not mobile platforms specifically - mobile OSes have different architectures and attack surfaces.
• D (Server-side buffer overflows) are a server/infrastructure vulnerability, not a mobile platform attack vector.

Memory tip: Think "mobile = apps" - the defining feature of smartphones is app ecosystems, so app-based threats are the defining mobile attack surface. The other options all point to non-mobile environments (desktops, servers, physical-only).

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