All Fear The Mobile Phone Botnets... That Don't Actually Exist
from the this-again? dept
For many years, we saw stories, usually pushed by security software companies, about how mobile phone viruses were some huge threat that had to be dealt with quickly before they spread around the world. Of course, that hasn't actually happened -- and there are some good reasons why it's unlikely. In fact, it seemed like such stories had been decreasing lately, perhaps in part due to some security firms scolding competitors for mobile virus FUD.So, we were a bit surprised to see yet another story on the subject, this time suggesting that we're on the verge of (I'm not making this up) a "Cell Phone Zombie Uprising." Some researchers are predicting that mobile phones would be perfect for botnets, though, again it's not clear how that would actually happen, given the limitations of phones. While it is true that phones have become more powerful (and open) over the past few years, there still hasn't been much evidence that viruses and such are a real threat. Most phones are designed well enough to not make it easy for apps to just install themselves -- so consider us skeptical until there's real evidence of a mobile botnet rising.
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Android
In fact, either of those phones has substantially more computing power than the desktop PC of 15 years ago. It's only a matter of time before somebody unleashes all that power via some malware.
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www.chl-tx.com Nothing deters violent crime as effectively as the possibility of getting shot by your intended victim. Nothing.
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Re: Android
If an open source OS become the general standard for mobile phones the longer it exists the smaller this threat becomes. It's the beauty of open source.
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RE:Android
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It is something to think about
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Re: It is something to think about
.... Something to think about
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Re: Re: It is something to think about
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It's about critical mass
So far we do not have a mobile device (or family of devices) that is/are widely enough deployed to make it worth the effort. Sure mobile devices are getting more powerful. No doubt they could find exploitable security holes if they wanted to. Certainly they could try "CLICK NOW HERE FOR VIRUS REMOVE" social exploits. But why bother when there are more than enough WinTel marks out there to exploit?
That's not to say that the situation wont ever change. But it's too early to be doing the chicken little act just yet.
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Re: It's about critical mass
I'd bet that Nokia/Symbian would argue quite differently.
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mobile virus
Do not be caught with your pants down,
As cell phone use becomes more of a need rather then a want.
The hackers will find a way to make your life miserable.
Goto www.phoneguard.com
NOW and get your mobile anti-virus before you wish you did.
REGARDS.
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