Mobile Security Software
Mobile Security Software - Do You Really Need It ?
The risk of spam and viruses that attack mobile devices is set to rise, says a report.
Security experts suggest that virus and malware attacks on mobile phones will take the same form as spam and scams that are currently found on PC's. With the use of mobile broadband devices growing, the same threats that plague computer users now can be expected to begin to infiltrate mobile devices. In the grand scheme of things technology wise, this should be considered as a "new threat" to mobile security.
The Georgia Institute of Technology Information Security Center (GTISC) in the US recently released the Emerging Cyber Threats report, and it has identified mobile devices as being a particularly vulnerable platform for internet threats.
The report highlights that with the ever growing trend of people using smartphones, more applications on these phones, such as for more easy financial and payment purposes, will become a draw for cybercriminals.
Security experts suggest that virus and malware attacks on mobile phones will take the same form as spam and scams that are currently found on PC's. With the use of mobile broadband devices growing, the same threats that plague computer users now can be expected to begin to infiltrate mobile devices. In the grand scheme of things technology wise, this should be considered as a "new threat" to mobile security.
The Georgia Institute of Technology Information Security Center (GTISC) in the US recently released the Emerging Cyber Threats report, and it has identified mobile devices as being a particularly vulnerable platform for internet threats.
The report highlights that with the ever growing trend of people using smartphones, more applications on these phones, such as for more easy financial and payment purposes, will become a draw for cybercriminals.
As more and more sensitive information is kept on our mobile devices, sadly it is inevitable that there will be unscrupulous people attempting to access that data.
The growth of mobile spam and viruses has been compared to the early days of the internet and the infuriating PC spam and various scams that existed back then. Like those early viruses, the mobile equivalents are not yet so sophisticated. One of the current viruses takes a good lookthrough a mobile phones address book and then sends a copy of itself out to every contact it finds there. As you can imagine, although unsophisticated, it can easily run amok and get out of control, not to mention how fast it could spread.
Many of the latest threats disguise themselves as a picture file, media file or mp3. These are the types of files that are downloaded and swapped between mobile users all the time. Some of the viruses spread through the use of Bluetooth devices and can be considered a real "airborne" virus.
If the current growth trend is any indicator, then this is just the tip of the iceberg for threats to mobile security. Several reports suggets that global network operators receive uo to 100,000 virus incidences a day. That's a lot of viruses considering this is viewed as a "new threat".
In addition to the online threats from the internet, there is also the consideration that your phone may be stolen or lost. The mobile security software can also assist you if this ever happend to you, as not only will the software protect your phone whilst online, but it has the added advantage of specialised "anti-theft" features too. The software can even gepgraphically locate your phone for you should you ever lose or misplace it.
As to the question of needing mobile security software, it is probably advisable for any person to consider the same behaviours with their mobile security as they do with their PC security, and install a good mobile security software solution on their handset. As the old adage goes, "better to be safe than sorry".
The growth of mobile spam and viruses has been compared to the early days of the internet and the infuriating PC spam and various scams that existed back then. Like those early viruses, the mobile equivalents are not yet so sophisticated. One of the current viruses takes a good lookthrough a mobile phones address book and then sends a copy of itself out to every contact it finds there. As you can imagine, although unsophisticated, it can easily run amok and get out of control, not to mention how fast it could spread.
Many of the latest threats disguise themselves as a picture file, media file or mp3. These are the types of files that are downloaded and swapped between mobile users all the time. Some of the viruses spread through the use of Bluetooth devices and can be considered a real "airborne" virus.
If the current growth trend is any indicator, then this is just the tip of the iceberg for threats to mobile security. Several reports suggets that global network operators receive uo to 100,000 virus incidences a day. That's a lot of viruses considering this is viewed as a "new threat".
In addition to the online threats from the internet, there is also the consideration that your phone may be stolen or lost. The mobile security software can also assist you if this ever happend to you, as not only will the software protect your phone whilst online, but it has the added advantage of specialised "anti-theft" features too. The software can even gepgraphically locate your phone for you should you ever lose or misplace it.
As to the question of needing mobile security software, it is probably advisable for any person to consider the same behaviours with their mobile security as they do with their PC security, and install a good mobile security software solution on their handset. As the old adage goes, "better to be safe than sorry".
