Technology
Features
Mobile phone viruses
Computer users are well versed in finger-wagging admonitions to install anti-virus software
Rightly so, as infection by viruses – deliberately created by so-called 'geeks' for a sadistic thrill – can cause real damage.
But viruses on a mobile phone? Is that something we really need to worry about? Andrew Stucken investigates.
Do mobile phone viruses even exist? The answer is 'Yes'. The first ever computer virus spread by mobile phone was sent to anti-virus companies in 2004. It was created by a gang of virus writers calling themselves 29a as 'proof of concept' - industry speak for 'told you we could do it'.
Hundreds of viruses have been discovered since then, and tens of thousands of infections reported worldwide. But compared to PC viruses, the problem is still very small-scale. Unless you have a smartphone there is minimal risk of infection.
How do they work? Viruses target specific operating systems. Most commonly on PCs that means Windows. Mobile phones of course use software and require operating systems (OS) as well. A common OS is Symbian – and some viruses have been designed to attack phones running it.
How do they spread? Early viruses spread purely through Bluetooth – limiting their virulence quite severely. They were constrained to a 30m radius and to users with Bluetooth turned on. Moreover any user would receive a warning of an unknown file and would have to accept the virus.
But so-called malware has since evolved to propagate via text, MMS (Multimedia Message), WAP, emails, images, and video clips. Some viruses propagate by sending multiple MMS to an infected phone's contact list. An example of this is CommWarrior virus, designed to attack phones running the Symbian 60 OS.
And is this a problem? Whereas early viruses were relatively harmless, a virus like CommWarrior could prove costly. MMS is not cheap - and anecdotal reports suggest they can bombard each contact with multiple copies of each message. Other damage is possible – one virus called Skulls could destroy a phone.
Should I be worried? The chances of your phone receiving a virus are very remote indeed at present, but higher for smartphones. Only recent mobile OS are programmable to the extent that viruses can readily spread - and even then they are specific to the OS. Because there are so many OS around, the ability to spread is limited – unlike with PCs running the ubiquitous Windows.
Of course, viruses are constantly evolving and the threat could grow in the future.
Can I install anti-virus software to prevent infection? A number of products designed to protect smartphones are on the market. They offer the same sort of features as PC protection software – antivirus, firewall, anti-spyware etc. Some phones are meanwhile now shipping with pre-installed anti-virus software.
If you believe your mobile is infected, the best advice is to contact your network and/or handset provider as soon as possible.
Andrew Stucken's views represent his own opinions and are for general information only. Always seek independent advice.
