Your iPhone or Android is NOT a PHONE. It is a very small computer with the ability to place calls on a cell network. It can and way be vulnerable to all of the attacks your computer experienced including virus attacks, malware and phishing.
As mobile phone usage grows, your phone can become more vulnerable. One of the most vulnerable areas are mobile phone apps. This article describes the threats and ways to prevent your phone from being hacked
Analysts predict an increase in malware – malicious software – and other security threats that hackers spread through mobile devices, especially as sales of smartphones continue to explode worldwide.
While mobile viruses have been uncommon to date, hackers do have the ability to exploit mobile security, per Frost & Sullivan. Given that mobile users are increasingly surfing the Web, as well as downloading and using applications, many in the industry are not surprised to see a growth in malicious activity.
“TRUSTe believes that mobile apps and Web sites should only obtain information appropriate for the service provided,” said Janet Jaiswal, director and mobile product manager at TRUSTe, San Francisco. “In addition, sensitive information such as geolocation, credit card info and social security number should be encrypted before it is transmitted.”
Human error
A recent New York Times report cited a case from September when a virus infected 1 million-plus mobile phones in China.
Ironically disguised as an anti-virus application, the virus known as “zombie” let hackers access the phone’s SIM card and automatically send spam text messages to people listed on the phone’s address book, per the Times.
Many of the points made in the New York Times article are valid, accourding to mFoundry Inc., the company that powers Starbucks Card Mobile applications.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that non-banking mobile applications fail to take security seriously,” said Rodney Aiglstorfer, cofounder and chief technology officer of mFoundry Inc., Larkspur, CA.
“When a user’s Groupon account is compromised, and the credentials used are the same as those for their banking service, that user is at serious financial risk,” Mr. Aiglstorfer said. “For this reason, education is the best weapon.
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