Mobile Users Not Cued in To Security
07 Mar, 2008, 3:12 pm IST | by
tech2 News Staff
| 
|
Security service provider F-Secure Corporation, after a survey has revealed that though more than three quarters of mobile phone users are aware that malware can infect a mobile device via Bluetooth, they fail to have security software installed. On average, 28 per cent of all respondents in the survey said they use their mobile device to access the Internet, while a large majority, 86 per cent admitted to having no mobile security at all. Out of all the countries questioned, the UK had the highest percentage (47%) of users accessing the Internet through their mobile device, while at the same time being the least likely to have a security product installed on their mobile phone. While most users are aware of the security risks involved with using the connectivity features on their phone, only 21 percent regarded Bluetooth connections safe, and a mere 15 per cent were under the impression that WiFi connections are safe. Over half of those questioned felt it was up to the individual user to ensure their phone was protected. A third expected this to be taken care of by their mobile phone carrier, with the US putting the greater emphasis on third-party responsibility. Only 11 per cent of Germans believed their mobile phone provider should be in charge of security, compared with over 32 per cent in France. "While the mobile threat is low at present, it’s only a matter of time before Internet criminals start utilizing the growing potential that smartphone usage presents to them," warned Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at F-Secure. "So far there have been about 400 mobile viruses detected, but as smartphones replace PC's as the dominant Internet platform, we can expect this figure to rise." Geographically the sources of mobile threats are spread around the globe with activity originating for instance in South-East Asia, Russia and South America. While the threat from mobile viruses remains low, there has been increasing activity with spyware applications for mobile phones. Such applications make it possible to get covert access to all the functions of the affected phone, including recording of phone calls, access to messages and switching on the phone's microphone for listening. The low amount of security software installed on smartphones coupled with the rapidly increasing volume of these devices make them a very vulnerable target for hackers. |
Mixx
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
delicious
reddit
MySpace
StumbleUpon
LinkedIn
Top 5 potential Gmail alternatives
Google’s Gmail service is arguably the most advanced and feature-packed of services for personal and professional ...
Yahoo! Axis reportedly slowing down IE9
1.2 million 'copyright infringing' pages deleted last month, reveals Google
Infibeam's selling Karbonn A7 Android phone for Rs.7,490
Yahoo! Axis goes public
Shareholders file lawsuit against banks and Facebook CEO, Mark Zukerburg
HP to lay off 27,000, profit slides 31 percent
Infibeam's selling Karbonn A7 Android phone for Rs.7,490
24 May, 2012, 04:33 PM IST
Global sales of mobiles dip 2 percent in Q1 2012, finds Gartner
17 May, 2012, 10:06 AM IST
Google closes deal on Motorola Mobility for $12.5 bln, Dennis Woodside is new CEO
23 May, 2012, 08:39 AM IST
Spice unveils new dual-SIM handset, the Flo Me-M 6868n
18 May, 2012, 10:41 AM IST
SICT Ivory launched for Rs.3,600
17 May, 2012, 02:36 PM IST
17 May, 2012, 04:58 PM IST
7.5
Alongwith the launch of their flagship device, the One X, HTC launched two other phones - the One V and the One S ...
BlackBerry Curve 9220: New Bottle, Old Wine
Unboxing and first impressions of the LAVA XOLO X900
The XOLO made its way into our labs recently and needless to say, our tech
By Shayne Rana
Mobile Grudge Match - Samsung Galaxy S III vs HTC One X
Last night, we witnessed Samsung unveiling, what they have been referring...
Samsung Galaxy S III - What to expect
Apple fans have the iPhone 4S and Android fans have the Samsung Galaxy S2.
_011517074205_160x90.jpg "Epson Stylus Photo R3000")
BlackBerry Curve 9320 announced in India...
Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos GSM announced
Future iPhone, iPads may offer optical...
Google's official 7-inch tablet...
About Us | Site Profile | Tech2 Team | IBNLive News | IBNLive Hindi News | Cricket News | Indian Stock Market | Policy | T & C
Copyright © 2011, Tech2.com India - A Network 18 India Venture
