By If in the past, malicious programs had computers as their main target, it seems that things have changed. Malware is now directed towards mobile devices more than ever. Even if this is yet an exception and not a rule, there are many examples of mobile devices viruses that you should be aware of.
The popular mobile platforms can now be affected by these malicious programs and if one single affected application is released in the Android Market, then thousands of mobile devices can be infected before the malware is discovered.
You’re probably aware of the DroidDream incident in the case of which a malicious software that was infected with Trojan was downloaded by several thousand people. Important data of these people (including their location and phone number)was then rooted to a remote server. The application was immediately removed from the Android market.
The thing with the Android Market applications is that they can easily be disassembled, repackaged with malicious programs and then uploaded the Android Market under a slightly different name.
Android is somehow favoured by malware makers because of its open-source nature. Still, there are other mobile platforms that are exposed to malware, too. Even if Apple screens all those 3rd party apps, there still might be some infected apps to get on users’ mobile devices.
Getting your smartphone infected with malware is not that difficult. If you have the bad luck of installing a compromised app, then that’s about all: your mobile device is infected. Still, there’s a good part and this points to the fact that phones are not as vulnerable to different infection methods as computers are.
It has been reported that there are much more compromised applications in 3rd party app stores than in the ones belonging to Android and Apple. Now there are some tips you should take into account in order to protect your smartphone from getting infected.
1. One of the most important things when it comes to keeping your smartphone away from virus infections is to pay utmost attention when you download and install applications. Make sure you don’t go for the ones you know little about. Do some research about that app and its publisher before installing it on your device.
2. Pay attention to the list of permissions for services that can be accessed by the app you want to install. If you go for an alarm clock app, you should know that this doesn’t need access to your contacts. If there’s anything you’re not sure about, then do not install the app.
3. Make sure you use a mobile antivirus software like Lookout Mobile Security to keep you away from threats and malicious programs. You might be tricked into installing compromised apps through malicious advertisements.
You can opt for free mobile apps that would protect your smartphone. Go for McAfee, AVG and Symantec. Even if mobile devices malware is only at its beginnings, it is very important to be aware of its existence and thus to protect your phone against it.
