Explosion in mobile malware presents new risks
By Chris Taylor
13/09/2011
Cyber criminals are increasingly attacking cross-platform devices, such as mobile phone and tablets, new research reveals.
Personal computers are no longer the only target for malicious viruses, found G Data Security Labs.
Its study has shown that malware for smartphones and tablets has increased by an astonishing 273 per cent in the first half of 2011, compared to last year. The huge shift in cyber criminals' focus accounts for a new piece of mobile malware being created every 12 seconds, notes a Computer Weekly report.
G Data Security evangelist, Eddy Willems, described this explosion as "a new business model" for cyber criminals.
"At the moment, the perpetrators mainly use backdoors, spy programs and expensive SMS services to harm their victims," the specialist explained in a statement cited by MobileToday.co.uk.
The revelation suggests that businesses will need to invest in IT management systems that have security measures covering cross-platform devices to make sure all aspects of their IT infrastructure are secure.
Interestingly, recent data from McAfee has shown that Android devices are bearing the brunt of cyber criminals' attention. The amount of Android-focused malware spiked 76 per cent in Q2 of 2011, when compared to Q1.
"Even though this special underground market segment is still being set up, we currently see an enormous risk potential for mobile devices and their users," continued Willems. "We are therefore expecting another spurt of growth in the mobile malware sector in the second half of the year."
