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Mobile Phones Next Big Target For Hackers
There's a downside coming for users of do-it-all mobile phones, according to tech security analyst firm IDC.
Though increasingly popular and mainstream, multi-function iPhones, Palm Treos and Blackberrys are expected to become ever more ripe targets for hackers, scammers and virus coders, who until now have seen personal computers and networks as the most enticing targets.
Considering how much personal and sensitive information (addresses, e-mails, documents, passwords, pictures) people keep on their smartphones, this growing threat is a major concern.
The change is coming with the open access environment of applications that are being written for these smartphones, say experts from the top security labs. While it's a boon for the folks who write programs, and the consumers who plan to use them, the open access also means it'll be easier for hackers to make malicious software available. (Programs for smartphones can be written by pretty much anyone.)
Trend Micro and Symantec, as well as other security firms, are already seeing a growing business supplying protection to businesses and individuals who use smartphones. IDC says businesses and consumers will spend $958 million by 2011, up from $214 million in 2006, on security. For an individual user, $30 buys a year's worth of protection.
These firms consider smartphones the most vulnerable link the complex chain of communications devices on the market today.
The attacks have already begun. Users of Windows Mobile smartphones have already found themselves subject to the InfoJack program, which knocked out their phones' security settings and connected the devices to a server in China.
So how do you protect yourself? Well, for starters, don't download anything that doesn't look familiar (like something in an e-mail that comes from someone you don't know). Also, consider installing an anti-virus protection program for mobile phones. Just take care to use the same precautions you use on your computer to avoid viruses and you should be okay.
Here's the good news for people who don't own smartphones (essentially, most clamshell and flat-phones that don't run Windows Mobile, Symbian OS, or Palm OS (or iPhones): You don't have to worry, since non-smart-phones don't allow for independent third-party applications to be installed, making them virtually virus-proof (and, also, of course, more boring, since they only allow apps from your mobile carrier to be installed). [Source: USA Today]
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Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsGORDONJun 26th 2008 12:43PM
HI, I AM HEARING IMPAIRED . MOST TIME I REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH ANY CELL WITH KEYBOARD , WHY MY HAND AND FINGER REALLY BIG AND DIFFCULT TO FINGER PUSH ANY KEYBOARD BUT MANY LETTER OR NUMBER GET ERRORED BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT KEYBOARD REALLY SMALL. I DREAM A NEW TECH. CELL AND KEYBOARD WITH FOLDER , I PULL KEYBOARD AND FOLD OPEN SO, KEYBOARD HAVE MORE KEYBOARD SO, MY FINGERS WILL MORE COMFORTABLE SO, I LIKE T-MOBLE AND I-PHONE SCREEN . BUT I STILL NOT SATISIFED THEM . I SAY THE KEYBOARD NEED MORE SPACE OR KEYBOARD FOLDER .
BuckwheatJun 29th 2008 2:06PM
Are you reading impaired too ?
KelJun 30th 2008 1:03AM
Hey Buckwheat, are you mentally impaired?
ClariceJun 29th 2008 2:46PM
On my cell phone I am STILL getting threatening messages from several guys and 1 female in Nigeria. Evidentally the guy that had this number before I got it must have gotten a sum of money through a scam or something because these Nigeria threats have been going on for about 6 months now. T-Mobile refuses to change the cell number again since they've already changed it once in the past 8 months! The number that keeps calling me is: 23484745578. I was told by the phone company that this is a call from Nigeria.
skipJun 29th 2008 3:16PM
I would cancell my contract with your current carrier since they don't appear to be helping you and go with a different carrier. Yes, I am in the business. If you care to check out my company go to this website. Everything you need is on line there. If you are looking for a new cell phone, make sure you scroll all the way down as we have many great phones like BlackJackii which are FREE with a 24month contract. Good luck.
SherryJun 29th 2008 10:03PM
Why not take it to the police. They have departments that deal with that sort of thing.
SueJun 29th 2008 5:50PM
This is for Clarice -
Register your cell number on the DO NOT CALL Registery. Maybe that would help. It won't help the texting, but you could always have that blocked through your phone carrier. I have done that, but I don't text anyone. That's what my email is for.