McAfee Research Reveals Majority of Consumers Concerned Over Mobile Safety
McAfee announced findings from new research that reveals that almost three out of four mobile consumers (72%) are concerned about the security of today's and tomorrow's mobile services, such as mobile multimedia downloads, mobile payments and mobile ticketing.
The McAfee Mobile Security Report 2008 discusses in detail users' experiences of traditional and emerging mobile services and their awareness and perceptions of mobile security issues.
Other key findings revealed the following:
* 86% of users are worried about security risks posed to their mobile handset such as fraudulent bill increases or information loss or theft
* More that one third (34%) of global mobile users question the general safety of mobile devices and services
* At least 79% of consumers are knowingly using unprotected devices, with an additional 15% unsure of security levels
* More than half of subscribers (59%) expect mobile operators to take primary responsibility for protecting mobile devices and services
While confidence levels for traditional voice and messaging services remain comparatively high, more than half of all respondents (55%) expressed concerns about mobile payments and banking services. Likewise, more than 40% were worried about mobile multimedia downloads and mobile vouchers and ticketing. Frequent mobile Internet surfers showed levels of concern 80% higher than those who have never used such services. Overall, more than 72% of users expressed concerns regarding the safety of using emerging mobile services, with concern rates rising with market maturity.
Mobile security incidents may not yet rival the scale and scope of PC threats but they are increasing in volume and sophistication. More than one in ten (14%) of global mobile users have already been exposed to mobile virus incidents, either directly or they know someone who has been infected. This awareness strongly impacts user confidence with 80% worried about the possibility of a mobile virus infecting their friends and colleagues.
Mobile messaging is also growing in prevalence. More than a third of subscribers (38.6%) claim to typically receive 'annoying' spam messages at least once a month. In Japan this rises to more than a quarter (26.1%) getting spammed daily.
Despite growing concerns, at least 79% of consumers are knowingly using unprotected devices, with an additional 15% unsure of security levels. Almost 60% of mobile users expect mobile operators to take primary responsibility for protecting their mobile devices and services and more than half (56%) believe security features should be pre-installed on the handset at the time of purchase and provided free of charge.
The research was conducted by Datamonitor amongst 2000 mobile consumers with responses spread evenly across the US, UK and Japan.
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The McAfee Mobile Security Report 2008 discusses in detail users' experiences of traditional and emerging mobile services and their awareness and perceptions of mobile security issues.
Other key findings revealed the following:
* 86% of users are worried about security risks posed to their mobile handset such as fraudulent bill increases or information loss or theft
* More that one third (34%) of global mobile users question the general safety of mobile devices and services
* At least 79% of consumers are knowingly using unprotected devices, with an additional 15% unsure of security levels
* More than half of subscribers (59%) expect mobile operators to take primary responsibility for protecting mobile devices and services
While confidence levels for traditional voice and messaging services remain comparatively high, more than half of all respondents (55%) expressed concerns about mobile payments and banking services. Likewise, more than 40% were worried about mobile multimedia downloads and mobile vouchers and ticketing. Frequent mobile Internet surfers showed levels of concern 80% higher than those who have never used such services. Overall, more than 72% of users expressed concerns regarding the safety of using emerging mobile services, with concern rates rising with market maturity.
Mobile security incidents may not yet rival the scale and scope of PC threats but they are increasing in volume and sophistication. More than one in ten (14%) of global mobile users have already been exposed to mobile virus incidents, either directly or they know someone who has been infected. This awareness strongly impacts user confidence with 80% worried about the possibility of a mobile virus infecting their friends and colleagues.
Mobile messaging is also growing in prevalence. More than a third of subscribers (38.6%) claim to typically receive 'annoying' spam messages at least once a month. In Japan this rises to more than a quarter (26.1%) getting spammed daily.
Despite growing concerns, at least 79% of consumers are knowingly using unprotected devices, with an additional 15% unsure of security levels. Almost 60% of mobile users expect mobile operators to take primary responsibility for protecting their mobile devices and services and more than half (56%) believe security features should be pre-installed on the handset at the time of purchase and provided free of charge.
The research was conducted by Datamonitor amongst 2000 mobile consumers with responses spread evenly across the US, UK and Japan.
First Trojan reported for the iPhone
While not a huge risk, the first Trojan for the iPhone has been discovered. The first reports came from iPhone enthusiast site Modmyifone.com and were later confirmed by security research company F-Secure.The Trojan specifically targets users that have modded their iPhone so they can install third-party applications. The application masks itself as an update to Erica’s Utilities and is labeled as “113 prep.”
According to Modmyifone.com all the app does is say “shoes.” However, when uninstalled, the application removes files from the /bin directory on the iPhone, breaking valid apps like Sendfile and Erica’s Utilities.
The Web site hosting the application was taken offline soon after it was discovered, reports F-Secure.
“Hopefully this serves as a warning for those who have opened their iPhones using a security hole in the system and then installing unverified software without a second thought to what they are doing,” said F-Secure on its Web site.
F-Secure reported that it was an 11-year-old kid playing with XML files who created the Trojan. “Next time it might be someone else with more skills and with specific target,” they said.
McAfee Delivers on Triple Play Promise With Mobile Security Offering
McAfee VirusScan Mobile now availableSANTA CLARA, Calif., /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE) today announced that McAfee® VirusScan® Mobile, which is included in McAfee's Triple Play offer, is now available for download at http://us.mcafee.com. McAfee currently offers market-leading defense for consumers' PCs and Internet experiences, and the new mobile security component protects against threats that originate from e-mail, instant messages and multimedia downloads in various mobile devices.
Consumers who purchase McAfee Total Protection or McAfee Internet Security Suite get McAfee VirusScan Mobile at no additional charge.
"Mobile Internet use, which now involves everything from e-mail to payments and mobile security, will become of greater importance as threats evolve," said Todd Gebhart, senior vice president and general manager, McAfee Consumer, Mobile and Small Business. "While not yet widespread, McAfee Avert® Labs has identified 450 different mobile threat variants, including viruses and spyware that can threaten devices and personal information. McAfee VirusScan® Mobile is proactive protection, providing customers with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are protected today against the mobile threats of the future."
McAfee VirusScan Mobile is designed from the ground up to provide mobile protection. It guards against threats and protects the device at entry points, including SMS, MMS and e-mail. It automatically scans incoming and outgoing data for malicious code and continuously monitors and analyzes mobile data and files. VirusScan Mobile also seamlessly interacts with McAfee's Avert Labs for the latest protection updates.
Infections from mobile malware can occur through message attachments, application downloads, Bluetooth communication and PC synchronization. Hackers are increasingly using sophisticated social engineering tactics to trick users to confirm the installation of mobile malware and public mobile Internet sites have also been used to propagate malicious software.
Examples of recent mobile threats include viruses like "Duts" and "Xrove". "Duts" attached its viral code to executable files and proved how a virus can spread within a Windows Mobile device. "Xrove" demonstrated how a Windows mobile device can get infected via PC synchronization. Mobile variants of spyware and phishing over text messaging have been identified as well.
Currently, McAfee VirusScan Mobile supports Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone and Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition devices. Through the "My Account page" at http://us.mcafee.com, McAfee customers can view the most up-to-date list of supported devices, which includes such popular mobile devices as the Motorola Q9h.
About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc., the leading dedicated security technology company, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that secure systems and networks around the world. With its unmatched security expertise and commitment to innovation, McAfee empowers home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers with the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously track and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com.
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SOURCE McAfee, Inc.