The day is surely coming when our smartphones will be just as vulnerable to viruses and other computer infections just like our computers. To prove this point Georgia Weidman has created a "zombie" program which can infect Android phones. She will demonstrate this at the Shmoocon hacking conference later this month in Washington, D.C.
To prove that this is a credible issue here are two recent examples of smartphones being hacked.
1. Last August, a scam in Russia tricked users into installing malicious software on their Android phones and used SMS (text) functionality to send messages to a number charging a premium fee.
2. In late 2010, a Chinese virus for Android devices was used to steal personal information.
Now it may seem that hackers are picking on Android but that is not the case. Any smartphone can be infected.
Hackers relaize that the line between computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones is becoming more blurred each day and valuable personal information can usually be found on all of these devices.
As I mentioned in our December training class, hackers go where the money is and as smartphones continue becoming a bigger part of our lives you can bet that the security around these devices will need to be taken seriously by each and everyone of us.
Don't panic just yet. Smartphones remain relatively secure today. This is because of the use of managed markets such as the Apple Store and Google's Android Market. However time may be running out and soon anti-virus software may be necessary on our smartphones. Remember to use commonsense on your shartphone. If you did not request something, DO NOT OPEN IT! Even if it says it free.
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