Cell phones new targets for viruses
Still trying to figure out how to safeguard your personal computer against malicious programs designed for snooping and stealing? Then imagine the fun you’ll have configuring and managing security software for your mobile phone.
The alternative, according to experts at security software giant Symantec Corp., may be a virus infection that allows someone to download contact information from your address book, read your calendar appointments or snoop through your stored text messages. Someone could even plant phony text messages in your phone’s memory, use your phone as an electronic eavesdropping device, dial expensive overseas phone-sex numbers or remotely control your phone’s camera.
So far, though, most of the discovered threats have been limited in how much damage they can do and how quickly and widely they can spread, said Oliver Friedrichs, a senior manager with Symantec Security Response.