Mobile phones, especially smart phones and phones with Bluetooth, are at risk from a number of electronic attacks as well as traditional risks like theft and absent-mindedness.
The new generation of smart phones and phones with wireless connections and access to the Internet present new information security challenges:
If you synchronise your mobile phone to your home or work computer there is a high chance that personal information that you thought you were leaving at home, you are carrying around in your pocket. Make sure you know what data is saved to your mobile and if you dont need to be carrying it with you then change the settings of your synchronisation software to stop it from copying over.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless network that allows devices like phones, computers and headsets to communicate with one another. While not inherently unsafe, it needs to be properly used to avoid risks.
Until recently mobile viruses affecting highend smart phone devices have been few and far between. However, due to the number of users who now have access to the internet on their phone and users who are downloading or syncronising applications to their phone, viruses targeting these type of devices could rise.
Most of these attacks were proofs-of-concept and did little or no damage. You should still be mindful of the potential threat of mobile viruses and know what you can do to minimise the chance of becoming a victim.
There is growing evidence that criminals are using SMS text messages in phishing scams. For now, be careful about clicking on embedded internet links in text messages. You should also use your common sense if you get an unexpected text message. That lottery win could be a con trick. The 'free' anti-virus software could turn out to be a virus.
Advanced users may try to modify the software that controls their device. For many users this goes against the terms of their contract. By modifying your device you are potentially opening yourself up to a number of possible threats. These threats could include:
Many of today's smart phones have the ability to check your location based on either how close you are to your service provider or through built in GPS, the technology behind satellite navigation, basically a mini sat-nav device.
Drivers who use satellite navigation devices in their car are warned about the risks of saving their favourite locations on the device, for example their Home address especially if they intend leaving the device in their car. The reason is quite simply that a thief would not only have stolen your car, but they now also know your home address.
The same principal applies to your mobile phone. If it has a built in location service, then think very carefully about adding your home address as an obvious favourite or bookmark. Instead consider bookmarking your home address under a made-up name.
Handheld computers like Windows Mobile, Palm, iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices, come with Internet links and the capability to store vast amounts of information. Their very portability means they need to be treated with extra care.
Advanced users may try to modify the software that controls their device. For many users this goes against the terms of their contract. By modifying your device you are potentially opening yourself up to a number of possible threats. These threats could include:
There are many new mobile viruses appearing that can affect handheld computers. These will become more widespread over the coming years as more and more handheld computers and smart phones are made available to users. Many of these mobile viruses are proof of concept and have caused little or no damage. However it is a real threat and you should be aware of it and protect yourself.
Potential means of attack include; via your own internet connection, when you install Trojan software during synchronisation, when you download from the Internet an application containing a mobile virus directly to your device or when opening an infected email attachment. Infection via Bluetooth is another possibility.
For maximum security if you are using your mobile device to connect to the internet on a regular basis, consider installing anti-virus software. For Windows Mobile and Symbian devices: