Mobile Viruses: Threat or Hype?

I use to work in the anti-virus (AV) industry so this article about the potential threat and/or hype of viruses and malware striking smartphones and mobile devices seems like deja vu all over again. Back in 2000 when I last worked in the industry, the potential treat to the Palm platform was all the rage due to its market share dominance.

The mobile market has changed significantly since then and Gartner recently predicted little mobile phone virus activity for at least two years since "not many U.S. consumers have smartphones with which they exchange executable files" and the "market lacks a dominant operating system for virus writers to target."

Of course, one could argue that the Symbian platform has a large enough customer base, and when combined with the growing Windows Mobile platform (Microsoft has never been known for offering secure products) provides fertile enough targets for enterprising virus writers.

The continuing growth of mobile content and data also adds to the mix, especially as users explore beyond the carriers' network. The article reports network operators are teaming up with AV vendors to provide customers with malware-protection

IDC analyst David Linsalata thinks "For the carrier it could be a powerful differentiating factor to say, 'We will protect you and make sure you are secure,'bBut I can't see a carrier simply saying, 'You will always have antivirus protection and we will provide it for you.'"

In the end, protecting your mobile assets comes down to common sense. Viruses and malware are socailly engineered to take advantage of people's inherent susceptability to persuasion and manipulation. Mobile device users need to practice safe-computing that should be ingrained in their minds from using a PC.

For example, Linsalata advises Symbian OS smartphone users to look for the industry certification standard before installing anything. "If you get a file from a friend, make sure he really wants you to install that new game or whatever. If you get a message that the program is not Symbian Signed, first ask yourself whether you are really sure you want to install it."

To paraphrase the NRA, mobile viruses don't cause damage, people do...

via NewsFactor Network