The truth about mobile phone malware

Deborah Salmi 9 Aug 2013

The truth about mobile phone malware

Question of the week: I need my smartphone for work-related stuff, but I also have all my personal pictures and music on it. Tell me the truth - are viruses really being made for phones? Do I need to worry about it?

Your question comes just as several companies have released mid-year studies confirming that yes, there are viruses being made targeted to mobile phones. In years past, malware authors were writing scam software used to commit SMS fraud or replace icons. But since the exploding popularity of Android smartphones (Android has an 80% market share), cybercrooks are capitalizing on the growing user base. These days malicious apps on your smartphone can steal user data and passwords if downloaded. That is pretty worrisome!

Even though malware for smartphones is on the rise, a bigger threat to your data is theft or a lost phone. Nearly 10 percent of Americans have had their phone stolen, and some experts put annual cell phone losses in the billions of dollars. I lost my old phone on a bus a few years ago, and I cried non-stop for 2 days. Never found it either. :( Don't let that happen to you.

Before choosing which protection you want for your phone, watch this short video (2:06) called "Don't Waste Your Money: Top Smartphone security app" from TV NewsChannel 3. It reports that avast! Free Mobile Security is the best free app for mobile antivirus and anti-theft protection. We hope you will agree!

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