Smartphone Security
As if worrying about security on your computer wasn’t enough, your smartphone is increasingly becoming a significant target.
Besides the standard virus and worm attacks via email attachments, one recent attack used the phone’s bluetooth capabilities to spread between other nearby bluetooth-enabled devices.
Research indicates that a significant amount of the problem is that, while many users know to be careful on their home computer, many people feel their phone is more immune to security threats. Not so. The article’s suggestion – “treat your smartphone like a computer, not a telephone.”
Unfortunately, there are many people who don’t treat their home computer security properly, much less their smartphone security. People need to continue to be educated about internet security. If you’re going to fall for a phishing attack on your home computer, you’re probably going to fall for anything on your smartphone. Awareness is key.
News article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/25/smartphone.security/index.html
2 Responses to 'Smartphone Security'
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IMHO, the risk of virus infection via Bluetooth is overstated.
Bluetooth of most cell phones is off by default;
The sender needs the receiver to pair before sending any data – this is a feature of Bluetooth protocol;
The connection is unstable;
Mobile platform is highly heterogeneous;…
That’s why there is not so many viruses on your cell phone.
xzl
26 Oct 09 at 10:35 pm
I agree, though it’s creative, nonetheless. The greater potential threat is certainly in the Internet-enabled functionality or in simple things like not password-protecting your phone then losing it. It might not be impenetrable, but it’s at least a deterrent to the not-so-sophisticated thief.
cjenkins
27 Oct 09 at 12:16 am