We rebuilt Malwarebytes Mobile Security for the scams of today
July 28, 2026 · Malwarebytes · Severity: HIGH
Nearly half of individuals encounter scams on their phones daily, according to a 2025 Malwarebytes survey of 1,300 respondents across the US and Europe. The survey revealed alarming trends: 25% of victims reported harassment or blackmail, nearly 20% had private information exposed, and 15% lost money. Scammers exploit phones as gateways for fraud through texts, spoofed calls, and social media DMs, with AI increasingly complicating detection. Malwarebytes found that 55% of iPhone and 50% of Android users mistakenly believe their phone’s built-in security is sufficient, leaving them vulnerable. In 2025, Malwarebytes detected over 800,000 distinct Android malware strains, projecting this number to exceed 1 million by 2026. To combat these threats, Malwarebytes has rebuilt its Mobile Security app, prioritizing scam protection. Scam Guard, an AI-powered tool, identifies suspicious texts, emails, and links, providing instant guidance. Enhanced Text and Call Protection filters scam messages and checks incoming calls against known scam numbers, with iOS support live and Android rolling out later in 2025. The Digital Footprint Portal scans for exposed personal data, while Trusted Advisor offers a Protection Score and security recommendations. Expanded ad blocking on iOS targets Google Sponsored Ads in Safari, and Android Junk Cleaner removes unnecessary files to optimize device performance. These updates aim to safeguard users from evolving scams and malware, addressing the growing sophistication of AI-driven threats.
Nearly half of people encounter a scam on their phone every single day. Malwarebytes is doing something about it.
That figure comes from a 2025 Malwarebytes survey of 1,300 respondents across the US and Europe. The results paint a troubling picture. A quarter of the victims surveyed reported being harassed or blackmailed, while nearly one in five had private information exposed, and 15% lost money.
“I felt like I was in a horror movie,” said one survey respondent. “I never thought it would happen to me like this.”
Your phone is a scammer’s dream. You use it to bank, message, shop, and more. It’s an ideal gateway for anyone looking to take advantage of you. And today’s scams aren’t limited to just one app or program. They show up as texts and delivery notifications, as calls that spoof a trusted number, and as social media DMs.
Increasingly, AI is making all of this much harder to detect. Malwarebytes research found that half of people feel unprepared for the sophistication of these AI-driven threats. Phone scams now rank among the top five scam types people encounter, according to Malwarebytes Scam Guard data.
Part of the problem is misplaced trust. According to Malwarebytes’ data, roughly half of people—55% of iPhone owners and 50% of Android owners—said they believe their phone’s security is enough to keep them safe. But relying on those protections alone can leave people vulnerable.
Malwarebytes detected more than 800,000 distinct strains of Android malware last year and expects that number to cross 1 million in 2026.
Your phone needs more than just a lock screen to stay safe. That’s why we’ve rebuilt Malwarebytes Mobile Security. It puts scam protection first, and it’s backed by all our other tools to keep your phone secure.
Built for today’s scams
Here’s how Malwarebytes Mobile Security helps keep scams away from you and your data.
Scam Guard is a free AI-powered tool built into Mobile Security for both Android and iOS. Got a suspicious text, email, phone number, link, or message? Drop it into Scam Guard and get an instant read on whether it’s a scam, along with guidance on what to do next.
Text and Call Protection now catches significantly more junk and scam messages than before. Updated filtering that reviews shortened links more closely and flags suspicious content, like romance-scam language or unexpected money requests, before it reaches your inbox. Call Protection checks every incoming call against known scam and spam numbers, so you can block or flag them automatically instead of gambling on whether to pick up. It’s live now on iOS, with Android rolling out later this summer.
Malwarebytes Digital Footprint Portal’s free scanner shows you which of your personal details—passwords, Social Security numbers, and more—are already exposed and offers straightforward steps to keep them safe.
Trusted Advisor gives your device a Protection Score and recommends simple steps to strengthen your security, from adjusting settings and permissions to running a scan or updating your device.
Expanded ad blocking on iOS now lets you filter Google Sponsored Ads in Safari—a browser that scammers frequently abuse to make fraudulent campaigns look legitimate.
Android Junk Cleaner removes leftover files, temporary data, and outdated cache files that build up on your device over time. A cleaner, faster phone is easier to manage and gives you the space you need to install important security updates.
There’s more
Here’s everything else Mobile Security protects you from:
Key Takeaways
- Nearly half of people encounter a mobile scam daily, says Malwarebytes survey.
- Victims report harassment, blackmail, data exposure, and financial loss.
- AI makes scams harder to detect; rebuilt mobile security addresses modern threats.