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Technically Speaking: Wising Up Your Smartphone – Virtual Vaccines for Virtual Viruses
By Chad Felix
Almost unbelievably so, it was sleepy and simple ‘92 that saw the very first smartphone: the IBM Simon. Although it was primarily a master of basic functions, Simon didn’t differ all that much from your typical smartphone of today–he made calls, accessed a daily calendar and an address book. He even provided a calculator, notepad, e-mail access and games. Perhaps most astounding of all: Simon had a touch screen.
But this was some nineteen years ago now, and the digital landscape has, as we all know, changed a great deal. Smartphones have grown into sleek, sophisticated, mini computers, and the Internet is wilder both socially and financially. Additionally, the devices have gone from playthings of the opulent (the IBM Simon originally retailed at $899) to the norm of the Everyman. The downside? As our mobile phones continue to advance, hackers will inevitably do more and more to break into them. Here’s to wising up your smartphone and protecting your information, even on the go.
Basic Training
Perhaps the first step to protecting your smartphone is to understand what you’ve got. First and foremost, a smartphone is a mobile device that combines the functionality of a personal digital assistant (PDA) with a cellular phone. Features include, but are certainly not limited to Internet connectivity with at least basic web browsing; a high resolution screen; easy e-mail access; GPS; music listening and video viewing; a plethora of applications, etc. Like your home computer or laptop, smartphones run on an operating system, or an OS, the most common being Apple iOS (iPhone), Android and RIM (Blackberry).
In the other corner awaits malicious software, a.k.a. malware. Encompassing nearly all that is cautioned against on the web–from Trojan Horses to adware to viruses and more–malware is defined not necessarily by what it does, but by its creator’s intent, that is, to achieve unauthorized access to your personal information. As smartphones are, in effect, computers that fit inside your purse or pocket, the threats are largely the same as on your home computer.
The Stakes
Over the course of the past few years, the cellular phone has gone from an “emergencies only” convenience to a “can’t leave home without it” accessory, and at some point in that transition, social media changed the world. The evidence of this transition is all over your smartphone in photos, videos, applications, e-mails, tweets, GPS history…and the list goes on. All of this sensitive personal information is at risk when malware strikes. Above and beyond this type of data, there is, of course, your financial information. At its mildest, your smartphone is linked to your finances via your cell phone provider. More extreme cases tie your phone up with various bank accounts, web retailers such as iTunes, and application stores. Certain malware can even tap into your phone and make premium rate calls and text messages, driving up your bill to a shocking figure. This is not to say that this information is open and waiting for the taking; any number of security measures, policies, passwords and the like stand between strangers and your identity. But these hackers are smart, determined people. Thankfully, outmaneuvering them isn’t all that difficult.
Preventative Action
McAfee, a longtime leader in the computer security game, attests that smartphone malware doesn’t come just from e-mails and web browsing. They can also be acquired through bad applications, call history, phone transcriptions and even text messages. Unfortunately, pinpointing the origins and warpath of a single virus is quite difficult. Because smartphones use a variety of operating systems, malware is equally as diverse. Each virus is designed to infiltrate a specific phone in a specific way.
Choose Your OS Wisely
Part of smartphone security comes from selecting an OS. For years Apple has been increasing in popularity, and not only for its good looks. Apple’s OS is among the most secure, and the iPhone is no different. Similarly, Blackberry has publicly stated that no additional virus protection is needed for their users. It’s a bold statement, but one that has served them well because of the evident truth of it. Google’s OS, Android, is notably less secure in order to be more accommodating to application developers. This means more apps, with the small possibility of a few more headaches.
Antivirus Software
For the most determined of us, there is dedicated antivirus software on the market. Among the many available is Symantec’s Norton Smartphone Security, McAfee Mobile Security for Enterprise, ESET Mobile Antivirus and Kaspersky Mobile Security. These applications/programs provide malware protection as well as spam protection and anti-spyware features. They can all be downloaded from the Web with relative ease, and the few minutes it takes might just mean the difference between safe browsing and identity theft.
When it comes down to the details, protecting your phone isn’t much different than protecting your computer. We all know by now what e-mails to trash and what sites to stay away from. And while we are many years ahead of ‘92’s Simon, and the Internet will continue to be wild, we don’t have to become victims. Use your best sense, and the information superhighway will be safely in the palm of your hand.
