Viruses Targeting Smartphones Grow with Market

As smartphones and tablets replace PCs as the gadgets used for messaging, Web surfing and even doing business, some shady characters are starting to target these devices with viruses, Trojans and spyware.


Researchers at security software companies say that in recent months they've identified a handful of malicious programs hidden in seemingly innocuous applications, including games and video players, that could make Android phones send information and receive commands without the owners' knowledge.


In some cases, the purpose was unclear. But one app used a phone's locating software to transmit the owner's whereabouts without permission. Another was designed to send repeated text messages, while charging hefty fees to the owner's wireless account.


The number of threats is tiny compared with the vast array of malware targeting PCs. And at this stage, some experts say it's more important for smartphone users to follow common-sense precautions than to purchase one of the commercial antivirus products offered for mobile devices.
"There hasn't been an example of malware affecting thousands or millions of devices yet, but that doesn't mean it's not possible or it won't happen," said analyst Chris Hazelton, who tracks mobile technology for the 451 Group, a tech research firm.


Researchers at security company McAfee say the bulk of the smartphone malware they detected last year was written to target the Symbian operating software used by Nokia, long an international leader in the smartphone industry. But they and other experts have noted an uptick in malicious applications written for Google's Android, which late last year overtook Symbian as the most popular smartphone operating system, according to Canalys, a tech research firm. … 

          

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