InternetMobile Industry Sees New Security Risks

Security professionals cite progress in combating threats to wireless handsets, but more work ahead.

Security systems can now block the first computer viruses plaguing mobile phones, but the mobile industry sees new risks stemming from upcoming open software platforms such as Google's Android. Since 2004, viruses have been able to disable phones or swell phone bills through pricey messages or unwanted calls, leading to a new market for security technology. "If Android becomes a fully open platform ... and when such a platform becomes more common, risks are greater than with the current platform kings such as Symbian," said Mikko Hypponen, head of research at security software firm F-Secure. Security specialists also pointed to potential risks arising from Apple's plans to open its software platform to third-party developers this month. "Apple has dealt very elegantly in the past with security issues," said Jan Volzke, global marketing head at McAfee's mobile unit. "There will be issues. Apple will fix them." RELATED ARTICLES A Particularly Nasty Week For Malware Symantec Finds Scope of IT Risk Widening Google Streamlines Security Apps Microsoft Delivers a Plethora of Patches For more stories on this topic: Roughly 65 percent of all smartphones sold in the fourth quarter used software from British supplier Symbian, according to research firm Canalys. Apple was the fourth-largest vendor with 7 percent of the market, following Microsoft and RIM. F-Secure and McAfee have been the leading security software vendors... [ Read more on www.internetnews.com ]

InternetGoogle finds evil all over the Web (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - The Web is scarier than most people realize, according to research published recently by Google.

InternetLTE brings fast Web, not gear maker miracles (Reuters)

Reuters - A high-speed wireless technology that is still in development promises to make mobile Web surfing about four times faster, but its impact on the embattled network equipment industry will be much less dramatic, according to industry executives.