Default mobile device security: Is it enough to protect SMEs against phishing?

Smartphones and tablets have become the frontline tools of modern business. They are how employees in organisations of all sizes check email, log into cloud services, collaborate with colleagues and increasingly approve financial transactions.

As a result, mobile devices are now a prime target for phishing attacks. But managing mobile risk is uniquely difficult because smartphones and tablets are often used for both personal and professional activity, blurring boundaries and increasing the potential for vulnerabilities.

Outside of working hours and away from the office environment, employees can lose focus on the importance of security and the criminals who launch phishing attacks know that they’re most likely to be successful when their victims aren’t paying full attention.

They know that even the most secure device is vulnerable if the user can be tricked into handing over a password, approving a fraudulent transfer or downloading a malicious file. Urgency and authority are the classic tools: a fake bank alert threatening to lock an account, a text that looks like it comes from a courier, or a message that seems to come from a senior executive.

Add in new tactics such as QR code redirections, AI-generated voices or deepfake video messages and the sophistication grows. Default device protections were never designed to handle this level of manipulation. They don’t provide the context, behavioural analysis or proactive defence needed to keep pace.

Yet many SMEs in Ireland continue to operate under a dangerous misconception: that the built-in security features of devices like iPhones or Android smartphones are sufficient to protect against these threats.

While Apple and Google have indeed raised the bar on default protections, relying on them alone creates blind spots that cybercriminals are exploiting with increasing success. The message is clear: default device security is a solid foundation, but it is not a comprehensive defence against phishing.

Why the misconception exists

Part of the problem lies in perception. iPhones in particular are often marketed as being “secure by design.” Their closed ecosystem, regular software updates and features like sandboxing and app store controls all contribute to a general sense that they are resistant to attack. Android, while more fragmented as an operating system, has also made significant strides with Google Play Protect, stronger permissions and more frequent patching on flagship devices.

This leads many businesses to assume that, unlike laptops or desktop devices, smartphones don’t need extra layers of security. In reality though, the protections built into mobile operating systems are primarily designed to keep the device itself safe from malware, not to protect the user from advanced social engineering tactics. Phishing exploits human behaviour, not just system vulnerabilities. And that is where the gap lies.

Phishing doesn’t care about your OS

Phishing remains the single most effective way for attackers to bypass corporate defences, regardless of device type. Criminals don’t need to break into an iPhone or Android handset at the kernel level — they only need to convince the user to hand over their credentials, click a poisoned link or install a malicious app.

“On-device security offers a strong baseline around app store vetting and permissions control. But on-device measures can’t stop a user engaging with malicious links that take them to fake login pages or direct them to download malware,” said Cillian Motherway, Security Proposition Manager for Vodafone Ireland.

Specialist mobile threat defence software provides an extra layer of protection, using machine learning to scan links displayed on a phone against constantly updated databases to flag potential malicious intent.

“Without a system like that, once a user clicks on a link, their device security is no longer effective. Ultimately default security on a smartphone can do little to stop someone from opening a fake invoice in Gmail, tapping a link in a text message that appears to come from a courier, or approving a “CEO request” via WhatsApp. You need more to stop that.”

With over 78% of Irish adults reporting that they are targeted by phishing attempts via SMS, email or fraudulent online content every month, the risk is systemic. Business leaders who assume that device defaults are “good enough” are leaving a critical vulnerability unaddressed.

Building a layered defence

The most effective way to mitigate phishing risk is to adopt a layered mobile defence strategy that goes beyond default protections. Training employees to recognise suspicious messages remains essential but technology has to take the lead in protecting them from the inevitable slip-ups.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), secure email gateways and strong password policies are all important components. But for mobile, additional layers are critical. Security tools that can proactively identify and neutralise phishing attempts across SMS, email, social media and collaboration platforms are necessary to protect a workforce that is increasingly mobile-first.

Vodafone recommends a combination of solutions that extend protection across both mobile and desktop environments. Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security is purpose-built for smartphones and tablets and can detect phishing attempts across SMS, email and messaging apps, block malicious applications and flag risky Wi-Fi connections before damage is done.

For IT departments managing fleets of devices, it offers real-time visibility and control and makes it easier to secure a distributed workforce.

Trend Micro Endpoint Security provides broader coverage for more traditional endpoints such as laptops, as well as desktops and servers. It protects against phishing as well as ransomware and zero-day exploits, with centralised management that helps IT teams enforce consistent security policies across hybrid environments. Together, these systems provide the layered protection that default device settings cannot.

Why this matters for Irish enterprises

For medium and large businesses in Ireland, the question is not whether employees will be targeted by phishing — it is how often, and whether they will fall victim. The data suggests attacks are growing in frequency and sophistication, and Ireland remains one of the most heavily targeted countries in the world.

Relying solely on default iOS or Android protections is not a viable strategy. These features are valuable but they were never designed to bear the full weight of enterprise security. The smart approach is to treat them as a baseline and build layers of additional security with dedicated tools, training and policies that address the reality of modern phishing.