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Mobile viruses: a growing threat
Mobile viruses are yet to create big problems for operators and users. But as wireless technology becomes more advanced, the threat of serious attacks grows.
April 12, 2006
Towards the end of last year, security software vendor McAfee said the number of mobile viruses would triple to 600 in 2006. This figure may seem relatively small, but according to McAfee, and other companies linked to the mobile industry, this is just the beginning.
Ironically, the main reason behind the growth in mobile viruses is the advanced technology that now exists. The smartphone or PDA, which has similar functionalities to a PC, is an example of advanced wireless technology that could easily be affected. Unlike a PC, a smartphone doesn’t have the software to stop virus attacks, and that becomes a problem when the phone is connected to such technologies as Bluetooth. If the smartphone user has Bluetooth switched on in a place deemed insecure, the phone can easily pick up viruses from other Bluetooth-connected devices nearby.
Another sign that mobile viruses are on the increase is growing interest among hackers in such viruses. Jan Brännström, product manager, Network Security Consulting Service at Ericsson, says: “It always takes hackers time to learn new operating systems, but it seems they have started to figure things out as we are seeing an increasing number of different viruses on the market.”
Luckily for users of smartphones and other handheld devices, companies such as McAfee and Symantec have started creating software to keep viruses at bay. The market for such software is predicted to increase from USD 20 million today to USD 250 million by 2010.
John Jackson, wireless analyst with the YankeeGroup, told BusinessWeek online recently: “If you are an IT manager, you scare easily. You can’t afford to not have your bases covered.”
While software vendors are busy creating software for mobile phones, other companies, such as Ericsson, are focusing on protecting the network from intrusion. This month, the company launched the Mobile Device Antivirus solution, which works in a similar way to the antivirus software found in mobile phones, only it scans the network for viruses. This solution complements the network intrusion detection system (NIDS) Ericsson launched in January. The NIDS looks for malicious human and software behavior, meaning that it can stop an intruder from stealing information or accessing sensitive data.
Brännström says Ericsson has an advantage in this area. “Nobody knows how a telecom system works better than us. Our knowledge has made it possible for us to deploy telecom-centric NIDS solutions.”
