It's been said that the state of mobile phone viruses is currently analogous to the early days of computer viruses; in other words, few and far between. Thankfully, mobile phone viruses are still in their infancy. Be sure to follow these four steps to ensure you won't fall victim to this type of malware:
• Turn off Bluetooth Discovery Mode
• Don't insert a foreign memory card
• Be careful when connecting to computers
• Be careful with the apps you download
Bluetooth technology is a short-distance wireless networking standard allowing files to be transferred between Bluetooth-enabled devices. Devices are able to be linked when they are set to Discovery Mode. Simply put, this means said device is broadcasting itself to any and all other Bluetooth-enabled devices within a small distance from each other, typically about 10 meters. Be sure to leave your mobile phone's Discovery Mode set to off or manual to ensure your phone is not advertising its presence to everyone. Moreover, you will prevent malware from attempting to automatically install itself on your phone via this technology by doing so.
Just as you wouldn't, hopefully, stick an unknown USB device into your computer without being absolutely certain it had no viruses, you shouldn't stick a foreign memory or storage card into your mobile phone. This is one way viruses move from phone to phone. If you must use an unknown memory card, scan it on your computer first, assuming the computer has a card reader.
Many of us take advantage of the ability to back up our phone contents using a USB cable and connecting to our computers. While this is easy and convenient, it can also be another transmission route for malware that affects cell phones. Make sure the computer you connect to has adequate virus and spyware protection and that its definitions are up-to-date before hooking your mobile phone up to it.
When it comes to smartphones, apps are all the rage. You can find thousands of different cool software applications, or apps, for your mobile phone online. Of course, hiding in any of these apps could be a Trojan virus that can infect your phone, doing who-knows-what to it. Always be sure to download phone apps from reputable sources. If you aren't sure of the site offering the download be sure to do some more checking around the internet before downloading it. Perhaps another, well-known site offers it too.
While mobile phone viruses and malware aren't currently a big threat it is wise to practice the four previously mentioned steps to ensure you stay safe now and in the future. You can be sure that infection rates will continue to climb just as they did with computers.
• Turn off Bluetooth Discovery Mode
• Don't insert a foreign memory card
• Be careful when connecting to computers
• Be careful with the apps you download
Bluetooth technology is a short-distance wireless networking standard allowing files to be transferred between Bluetooth-enabled devices. Devices are able to be linked when they are set to Discovery Mode. Simply put, this means said device is broadcasting itself to any and all other Bluetooth-enabled devices within a small distance from each other, typically about 10 meters. Be sure to leave your mobile phone's Discovery Mode set to off or manual to ensure your phone is not advertising its presence to everyone. Moreover, you will prevent malware from attempting to automatically install itself on your phone via this technology by doing so.
Just as you wouldn't, hopefully, stick an unknown USB device into your computer without being absolutely certain it had no viruses, you shouldn't stick a foreign memory or storage card into your mobile phone. This is one way viruses move from phone to phone. If you must use an unknown memory card, scan it on your computer first, assuming the computer has a card reader.
Many of us take advantage of the ability to back up our phone contents using a USB cable and connecting to our computers. While this is easy and convenient, it can also be another transmission route for malware that affects cell phones. Make sure the computer you connect to has adequate virus and spyware protection and that its definitions are up-to-date before hooking your mobile phone up to it.
When it comes to smartphones, apps are all the rage. You can find thousands of different cool software applications, or apps, for your mobile phone online. Of course, hiding in any of these apps could be a Trojan virus that can infect your phone, doing who-knows-what to it. Always be sure to download phone apps from reputable sources. If you aren't sure of the site offering the download be sure to do some more checking around the internet before downloading it. Perhaps another, well-known site offers it too.
While mobile phone viruses and malware aren't currently a big threat it is wise to practice the four previously mentioned steps to ensure you stay safe now and in the future. You can be sure that infection rates will continue to climb just as they did with computers.