Security Featured Article

Although Android (News - Alert)-based smartphones have found loyal followers among modern day mobile users, there could be dangers lurking for the users of these phones. A recent report published by SMobile Systems (News - Alert) states that as consumers download millions of Android-based applications, there is a danger of being attacked by hackers.

 

According to the report, 20 percent of applications in the Android market grant a third-party application access to private or sensitive information, and this can be used by the attacker for malicious intentions. Also, 5 percent of applications have the ability to place a call to any number, without requiring user intervention, states the report.

 

SMobile has published two previous whitepapers on the Android Market that have documented specific types of malicious applications and threats.

 

“The open-source architecture that drives Android phones and the abundance of application stores available for all smartphone devices have allowed developers to quickly create and post thousands upon thousands of new applications.  As a result, applications are currently available that have the potential to cause serious harm to devices, customers and to the broader cellular network," said Daniel V. Hoffman (News - Alert), chief technology officer for SMobile Systems.

 

SMobile has incorporated a new patent-pending spyware detection technology into its Security Shield solution to help protect Android and other smartphones. This revolutionary capability analyzes an entire device in seconds and immediately identifies and mitigates known and unknown spyware threats. Offering complete mobile device protection for consumers, SMobile's Security Shield is available for Android, BlackBerry (News - Alert), Windows Mobile and Symbian.

 

Recently, the company released a government and enterprise-level mobile security package called Secure Mobility Management Solutions. The simulation exercise was hosted in Washington, D.C., by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC). The BPC event, named Cyber ShockWave, featured a full-day simulation of an attack on the United State’s mobile and Internet-based communications infrastructure. The event was designed by SMobile executives including Joe Hagin, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff.