Malware set to explode on handhelds

[W1nTry]

Malware is getting nastier, says Fortinet

Security It’s not just for fun any more

By Guy Matthews: Thursday 19 January 2006, 10:45
UTM VENDOR Fortinet says 2006 will see a huge rise in IM and mobile malware, as well as greater involvement by organized criminals and political and religious extremists.

It says its annual malware threat report studied a record number of viruses, worms, Trojans, phishes, blended threats and other IT security exploits over the last 12 months.

The revelations, authored by Fortinet’s EMEA threat response team, include the growing scourge of threats proliferating among mobile devices - jamming functions, disabling address books and exhausting calling credit.

“Overall, mobile viruses and Trojans increased more than 500% to over 100 unique threats in 2005 compared to less than 20 in 2004,” said Guillaume Lovet, Team Leader of the Fortinet EMEA Threat Response Team. “As ‘smart’ mobile devices continue to revolutionise lifestyles and working practices, user adoption rate and targeted malicious threat activity will increase significantly -- eventually surpassing that of what we’ve seen with PCs. Increased awareness and specialised protection is required to combat these malicious threats.”

Other findings in the report include worrying trends of increased professionalism among hackers, and the rise of international marketplaces for hacking services. Whilst the more mature virus and worm-based threats continued to evolve during 2005, Fortinet also identified a return to historic hacking tactics such as the use of rootkits and individually targeted rather than mass outbreak attacks.

“Professional criminals can use malware to defraud businesses and individuals and then disappear before anyone knows,” says Lovet. “Malware has moved on from those seeking fun and glory to profit, and will, I predict, become the tool of extremists and fundamentalists.” µ

[spinner]

  oh great..as if the internet isnt enough to worry about..these hackers/virii creators have too much time on their hands..but this is expected, as with every new technological advancement, there is always going to be something to bring it down or corrupt it

[Falener]

Already seen after there is antiviruses for portable devices i am using one on my nokia 6620 called simworks antivirus which protects from the ever popular "skulls" and others ofcourse, later on there will be new treats but it has its own updater as well.