Sybase iAnywhere bolsters mobile device security

By John Cox
Network World
July 2, 2008

Sybase iAnywhere is beefing up its Afaria mobile-device management software by adding antivirus and firewalling capabilities.

One of several applications that make up the company's Information Anywhere Suite, Afaria lets enterprise IT administer a range of task around device security and management, such as authentication, encryption, and remote device “kill” if its stolen or lost. The company, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc., now is incorporating software from SMobile Systems to run virus scans on the device and to handle two-way IP packet filtering and inspection.

The changes are two new optional programs, Afaria Antivirus Manager and Afaria Firewall Manager, that add significant new protections for the growing number of enterprise handhelds...

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Are smartphone viruses really a threat to your network?
As iPhones, other devices grow in popularity, so will risky Web browsing

By John Cox
Network World
June 23, 2008

All evidence points to the fact that smartphone viruses will be a threat to your network even though they aren't at this moment. After all, the latest mobile devices are packed with more and more applications and corporate data, are enabled for real Web browsing and online collaboration, and can access corporate servers. What's more, they live outside your firewall and often make use of three wireless networks (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular).

"It's definitely something I worry about a lot," says Sam Lamonica, CIO of Rulph and Sletten, a Redwood City, Calif., general contractor. "With the proliferation of smartphones throughout our business, it poses a great risk if and when hackers get good at pumping malware through those devices."

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Viruses... on cell phones

By Kara Rowland
The Washington Times
May 29, 2008

This isn't something I've heard very much about, though it isn't very hard to make the jump. Cell phones are increasingly taking on the attributes of personal computers, which we all know are constantly prone to threats of worms, viruses, spam and the like. In particular, smartphones that use operating systems powered by Windows Mobile, Symbian, Linux, Palm or Research in Motion require protection, according to Columbus, OH-based SMobile Systems.

The company, which markets security products tailored to mobile devices, says there are hundreds, maybe even more than 1,000, known mobile viruses...

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Cell phone users beware

www.wkyc.com
April 30, 2008

The Kuykendall family is terrified. Someone is hacking into their cell phones.

"They've totally taken over her phone," Mrs. Kuykendall said as she talks about her teenage daughter's mobile phone.

The stalkers know what the family is doing, what they're wearing, what they're saying.

"They threatened to kill us February 20th," the elder Kuykendall said. "I'm just waiting for someone to wake me up. It's like a nightmare."

Authorities thought they were making it up. They told the family it was not possible. No one could do that.

They were wrong. It is possible.

At least a half dozen internet sites sell software that turns mobile phones into spy phones. We found one site out of Thailand. Their top of the line spyware sold for just over $400...

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'Winning' SMS is a hoax, Nokia UK warns

By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
gulfnews.com
April 28, 2008

Dubai: A leading mobile company has warned its users not to respond to a message that tells them they have won thousands of pounds.

A number of Nokia mobile users in the country said they received a message in their inbox that read: "Congratulations! Your cell phone has won £165,000 [Dh1.2 million] in the ongoing Nokia UK promo."

The message also featured an e-mail address and a telephone number for claims.

Gulf News got in touch with Nokia Corporate Communications in the UK for clarification. The company said the message is one of several hoax sms's that are circulating around the world, and Nokia has nothing to do with them.

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New WinCE trojan discovered - WinCE/InfoJack

February 27, 2008

A new strain of WinsCE Trojan has been reported. The malware was dubbed WinCE/InfoJack, this program was created by an unnamed Chinese site and it is bundled with legitimate installation files distributed by Google Maps.

Once installed, "WinCE/InfoJack" sends the infected device's serial number, operating system and other information to the author of the Trojan.

WinCE/InfoJack has a number of features that show its malicious intent:
• Installs as a program that runs automatically on the memory card
• Installs itself on the device from the infected memory card
• Allows for silent installation of unsigned applications
• Creates a backup copy of the infected file

SMobile announces solution for latest mobile phone virus

Computer Technology Review
January 31, 2008

SMobile Systems announced Monday that it has prepared and tested a mobile anti-virus update and disinfection tool for its Security Shield platform to help protect Nokia smartphones being attacked by a malicious SymbianOS Worm (also referred to as a Beselo worm) currently spreading on mobile phone networks worldwide.

The virus is being disseminated as a multimedia file (MMS) with such monikers as Beauty.jpg, Sex.mp3 or Love.rm. When installed on the handsets, the malware gathers all the phone numbers located in the phone's contact lists and targets them with a viral MMS carrying a SIS-packed (Symbian Installation Source) version of the worm. In addition to harvesting these numbers, the malware also sends itself to generated numbers. To date the worm only affects Symbian S60 enabled smartphones, including models such as the Nokia 6630, 7610, 6680, and N70. However, with modifications, this current attack could spread to many additional smartphone models...

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Worm Attacking Nokia Mobiles

By Sarah Falson
Smarthouse
January 21, 2008

A worm which latches onto the phonebook stored in a mobile handset and sends virus-laden multi-media messages (MMS) to the owner’s friends has been discovered locally, attaching itself to popular Nokia phones.

Called the SymbianOS Worm, the virus is able to run on Symbian S60-enabled devices which include Nokia 6600, 6630, 6680, 7610, N70 and N72 phones.

Phone-owners who receive an MMS with the file name Beauty.jpg, Sex.mp3 or Love.rm, should delete the file immediately.

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Mobile viruses are growing in numbers, but there's no return now with intriguing platforms such as Mac OS X and Android aiming for the masses.

By Sindre Lia
InfoSync
November 8, 2007

Specializing in security solutions for mobile phones, SMobile Systems claims to have identified more than 400 mobile viruses to date. With the recent introduction of Internet friendly mobile platforms such as Apple's Mac OS X and Google's Android, it's likely to believe that mobile viruses will explode in the future.

"No longer are these viruses merely nuisances. These viruses are getting more insidious in nature, smarter in their design, and ultimately more dangerous to consumers, corporate smartphone users and to the carriers who provide service", says CTO of SMobile, George Tuvell...

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Bluetooth devices easily hacked

24.com
October 23, 2007

Cape Town - Bluetooth-enabled devices are vulnerable to unscrupulous hackers, an expert warns.
Bluetooth was invented to connect devices such as cellphones, laptops, PCs, printers, digital cameras and video game consoles over a short-range radio frequency, but like any computer network, using Bluetooth can leave you vulnerable.

"Bluetooth hacking techniques vary tremendously. There are various attacks that have proved to be very effective over the last few years. Some of these attacks include making unauthorised calls and transactions, reading and sending SMSs on a target phone, erasing information and downloading personal information such as phone books and access codes," says ICT security expert Dino Covotsos...

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Application of the Week -- SMobile Security Shield

www.s60.com
October 9, 2007

SMobile Security Shield protects your S60 3rd Edition device from unwanted intrusion coming from any direction, including the Internet, short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), e-mail, and direct downloads. It has three different components to accomplish that mission: VirusGuard, to scan for malware, Point Guard, to provide call and message filtering, and the SMobile Firewall, to provide filtering and blocking on a wide variety of media...

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Supplying Smart Phone Armor
By Martha McKay
NorthJersey.com
September 27, 2007

If you believe Rick Roscitt, some very bad stuff might happen to your smart phone.

In the same way viruses attack computers, malicious software can travel across unprotected wireless networks and worm its way into the mobile gadgets we depend on, Roscitt says.

"Nobody would go out and spend $1,800 on a laptop and not put security software on it," he said. "Well, these devices don't have anything," he said pointing to an array of smart phones on a conference table in his Fort Lee office.

Roscitt is chairman and CEO of SMobile Systems Inc., an Ohio-based company that sells software designed to keep those gadgets safe from viruses and hackers...

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