{"id":5783,"date":"2012-12-05T08:37:06","date_gmt":"2012-12-05T13:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=5783"},"modified":"2012-12-05T08:37:06","modified_gmt":"2012-12-05T13:37:06","slug":"hidden-threat-malware-smartphones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2012\/12\/hidden-threat-malware-smartphones\/","title":{"rendered":"A hidden threat: smartphone malware"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0first of two-part series discussing malware on smartphones.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Lascoo.co.nz\"<\/a>With the still growing importance of smartphones to both our personal and professional lives, it is crucial that we, as device owners and users, manage the ways in which\u00a0they can malfunction and disrupt our lives. One of the ways we frequently\u00a0overlook is the fact that smartphones are susceptible to malware and other threats, similar to a PC. \u00a0This post is the first of a two-part series on malware on smartphones. Here, we give an overview of the subject, and in a later post, we will discuss the ways in which users can protect their devices.<\/p>\n

What is malware?<\/h3>\n

Malware is short for \u201cmalicious software<\/em>\u201d, and according to Wikipedia<\/a>, it is software<\/p>\n

\u2026 <\/strong>used or created by attackers to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Malware includes computer viruses<\/a>, worms<\/a>, trojan horses<\/a>, spyware<\/a>, adware<\/a>, and other malicious programs\u2026<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks to more affordable and accessible mobile broadband services, along with the growing take up and use of smartphones, malware on smartphones have increased considerably over the last few years. As a result, most IT security vendors have reported\u00a0marked growth in the types of malware and frequency of attacks on smartphones, which has prompted the creation of a variety smartphone-specific security products.<\/p>\n

\"http:\/\/www.freedigitalphotos.net\/images\/agree-terms.php?id=10076747\"<\/a>According to the 2011 Mobile Threats Report<\/a>\u00a0published by Juniper Networks Mobile Threat Center, there was 155% increase in malware attacks across all platforms. Additionally, the firm was of the view that this growth is indicative of a maturing ecosystem evidenced by:<\/p>\n