Malware on the Move

Let’s face it, smartphones of all sorts have become much more sophisticated and show no sign of stopping. With better networks, more features, and even more capacity, mobile devices are becoming more like portable computers. The smartphone is definitely becoming, well, smarter. And with text messaging, GPS, internet, streaming videos, media players, cameras and video recorders, your mobile device is definitely more than just a portable phone.

Whether you’re using your phone for everyday calling or as a full-fledged business device, your phone has a lot of information on it. Protecting those files and the phone itself is becoming more and more important. A business would be foolish not to have a complete and thorough security system running on their server. Even home computer security is a no-brainer; find a good antivirus software and/or internet security suite and install.

Unfortunately, as information continues to be more mobile, important files are being stored and transmitted with little to no protection. Just think of how many important trade secrets and important business files are being carried around in pockets. While smartphones are becoming smarter and more capable, mobile malware is not far behind. Viruses, trojans, worms, and other malware is on the move.

But businessmen aren’t the only ones whose phones are at risk. Mobile viruses can attack any phone in a variety of ways, and their threats are numerous. Aside from making your phone completely inoperable, mobile malware can cause a variety of other annoying problems. For example, mobile spyware has the potential to turn on your phone’s camera or voice recorder, turning your own phone into a spying device. Talk about mobile mutiny!

How would you likeit if the virus commandeers your phone sending pointless messages or pictures to your contacts? Or worse yet, making long distance phone calls at your expense. Needless to say, there are several potential problems with carrying around an unprotected phone. Thankfully there are a variety of great options for protecting your phone or other mobile device. These security solutions include the same tools utilized to protect your home or business computer, but are tailored to work in a mobile environment. Mobile security software takes all of the important security features:

• Antivirus
• Antispam
• Firewall

And makes them suitable for a mobile operating system, incorporating features specifically for phones, including:

• Wireless installation and updates
• Low resource consumption
• Remote capabilities

For all these reasons and more, it is probably a good idea to seriously look into mobile security software. There is quite a bit at stake, and judging by the increase in numbers and improvements of smartphones, mobile malware isn't far behind.

See our comprehensive side-by-side reviews of the best mobile security software available, or go directly to the best solution currently available, Mobile Security from Kaspersky.