Smart phones are the newest target for hackers

Posted by Caitlin on August 12th, 2008

According to a recent article from the Wall Street Journal, smart phones are the latest online security risk. BlackBerrys, iPhones and other personal devices that connect to the Internet are rarely protected by firewalls or security software. Not only can hackers use spyware to read your emails and text messages, they can also track your device's location. So far, there have only been a handful of reported mobile attacks, and the reported attacks tend to consist of spam or stolen contact information. Chris Hoff, chief security architect for security software provider Unisys Corp. says that while hacked smart phones have only been a nuisance at this point, "it will definitely escalate." Experts predict that soon, going online without installing anti-virus software on your smart phone will be just as unheard of as failing to use any security software for your computer.

FlexiSPY is a program marketed toward husbands and wives who suspect their spouse of cheating. It allows the user to track the location of the phone and read text messages, emails and call logs. The information is uploaded to a server and the person who installed the software can peruse that stolen data from his or her personal computer. This software could easily be used to steal confidential company information.

Some smart phone applications include hidden software that creates vulnerabilities to keystroke capturing programs. BlackBerrys that do not use the BlackBerry Enterprise Server software are particularly vulnerable to spyware. According to Dan Hoffman, chief technology officer of security-software maker SMobile Systems Inc., the iPhone is also susceptible to hackers, since the password protection is not difficult to circumvent and the iPhone does not encrypt data. "White Hats," a group of ethical hackers who attempt to raise awareness of potential security vulnerabilities, were able to successfully deliver malicious software to an iPhone.

Many companies are currently developing encryption software and new spyware and virus protection designed specifically for smart phones. While smart phone vulnerabilities do not typically lead to identity theft or other types of fraud at this point, it is still important to be informed of upcoming trends in security threats. When using your smart phone and especially when downloading applications, keep in mind that your phone is far less secure than a computer.

To learn more about Internet security software, see our reviews and comparison.