Report: Smartphones Need Malware Protection

A new report from Unstrung's research service finds smartphones need better malware protection...and expects everyone to get in on the act.

A new report from Unstrung’s paid research service Unstrung Insider finds that smartphones need stronger malware protection as companies and consumers increasingly rely on the devices to manage their businesses and everyday lives. And the report expects mobile carriers will begin offering mobile malware protection services during the next year as a way to differentiate themselves from the competition.

“Mobile malware security vendors are preparing for wide-scale attacks by hackers—attacks that eventually will be as headline grabbing as those that hit email systems,” said Unstring analyst and the report’s author Denise Culver, in a statement. “Their hope is that smartphone manufacturers, carriers, and enterprises—not to mention smartphone users—will not wait until the threats have reached that level before securing their mobile systems.”

The report cites both weaknesses in mobile operating systems and downloadable applications as significant vectors for mobile malware. Although consumers wantonly downloading applications for the phones perhaps run the biggest risk profile, malware security vendors are looking to small and medium sized businesses as their strongest market. Carriers will likely look to offer mobile malware protection to both consumers and enterprises…but as carriers look to monetize every aspect of their business, it’s likely at least some will look to malware protection servces as a source of revenue, rather than as a way to improve their customers’ experience.