Securing Your Smartphone

Smartphone Security Options

Among the threats detected in 2010 was a Google Android app that secretly sent premium rate text messages to a number controlled by the bad guys, racking up dollars with every text. Other malware quietly eavesdropped on voice, text, and data traffic hoping to pick up bank account login credentials, credit card numbers, and other sensitive financial information.

McAfee's report said that most smartphone malware still targets the Nokia Symbian operating system. But as Google Android and iOS (Apple iPhone) devices gather market share, more viruses and spyware are being created for these platforms too. Google Android recently bumped Symbian to become the number one smartphone platform. And if you're a hacker, you go where the numbers are.

The Blackberry platform saw fewer malware attacks, primarily because most Blackberry devices are managed by corporate IT security pros. Business Blackberry phones are often set up to use encryption and block users from downloading apps that may contain malware. But consumers must take responsibility for securing smartphones upon themselves. Here are some tips for protecting your smartphone and vital data.

Smartphone Security - Best Practices

Use a PIN or password to secure access to your phone's home screen. This common sense precaution can protect your contacts, emails, and other data in case a phone is lost or stolen. Android phones offer an "unlock pattern" feature that requires you to trace a secret pattern of dots on the screen in order to unlock it. And if you do lose your phone, there are apps you can install to help you locate them, or even wipe any sensitive data before it falls into the wrong hands. That's a topic big enough for another article, but you can find these apps if you search for phrases such as "locate lost iphone" or "android remote wipe".

Keep your smartphone's operating system up to date. Google and Apple issue security and performance updates for Android and iOS, just as Microsoft regularly updates Windows. Make sure your smartphone operating system is up to date to keep it as hack-proof as possible.

Stick to apps you can trust. The app stores managed by Apple and Google are your safest bet, although some malware has slipped through their vetting processes. And back up your data often. If your smartphone is compromised, the only remedy may be to wipe its memory clean and reinstall everything. You'll be glad you made a backup recently.

Be as wary of MMS (multimedia text) messages as you are of files attached to emails. Either can contain malware that is activated when you click to view a file. And keep in mind that when you transfer files from your phone's SD memory card to your PC or Mac, you could be spreading an infected file. Anti-virus software on your desktop or laptop will help to catch and quarantine these files.

Security software for smartphones is available from the same trusted vendors who keep millions of PCs safe. AVG Antivirus for Android provides basic protection free of charge. Kaspersky Mobile Security 9, released in February, 2011, supports Android and Blackberry phones as well as Symbian and Windows Mobile. Norton Mobile Security currently has a beta version that allows Android users to remotely lock or wipe a mobile phone by sending a text message.

What are YOU doing to increase mobile phone security? Post your comment or question below...