Here at NQ Mobile, our security team is responsible for monitoring, analyzing and vaporizing malware before it becomes a threat to our 120 million customers. That’s quite a feat, but our 250 experts are certainly up to the task. Recognized internationally for innovation and quality, NQ Mobile has released a comprehensive report of our 2011 security findings today. In our next few blog posts, we’ll take a more in-depth look at some of the specific results aspects of the report, and explore what some of the findings might indicate for the future of mobile.
Almost every company connected with the mobile industry has taken note of the unusually sharp increase in the number of malware discoveries in 2011. It may be helpful to look back a couple years. NQ Mobile saw 1,649 malware threats in 2009. In 2010, we reported a startling 6,760 threats. But, in 2011, who would’ve dreamed that the number would streak upward to 24,794!
This exponential increase in the number of threats offers rather clear evidence that the malware industry’s becoming progressively more lucrative for those who work on that side of the law. But what’s at the bottom of this newest surge of criminal behavior?
Consider the incredible market blitz of Google’s Android phones in 2011. Never in history have so many people purchased so many mobile devices, and Android certainly had its biggest year ever in 2011. Our report states that in one year, the number of Android malware threats went from fewer than 500 samples to more than 9,900 – an increase of 1,880 percent. In fact, the six months between June and December of 2010 saw an unprecedented jump in malware threats. Infections in Android devices were seen in China, India, the US, Russia and the UK, with China in the lead.
Smartphones are becoming so smart, they’re replacing PCs for the usual communication and business activities that most of us conduct every day. Consumers are finding mobile phones easier and more convenient for banking, bill paying and purchasing. Every new version of smartphone that’s released onto the market has accelerated features and capabilities. Unfortunately, as smart phones become smarter, cyber crime developments keeping pace. Mobile threats in 2011 showed increased capabilities in terms of escalating privileges, incurring financial charges, controlling infected devices with malware like botnets, and stealing private data.
The Android platform was an obvious favorite for malware developers in 2011. Accordingly, NQ reports that for the first time in history, the monthly number of new Android malware threats exceeded new Symbian threats, a development charted in October of 2011. What made Android such a target for malicious activity last year?
The sheer number of Android devices in use would naturally elevate the malware statistics. However, the fact that Google developed Android as an open platform created an unrestricted playing field for app developers, both legitimate and crooked.
Read today’s press release, and tune in tomorrow for another discussion about NQ Mobile’s 2011 Security Report. You can also check out our infographic in the blog post below.
A new report from NQ Mobile shows that from 2010 to 2011, Android officially overtook Symbian as the most targeted mobile platform in the world by cyber criminals. Also, in 2011, newer and more advanced forms of malware have successfully infected an estimated 10.8 million Android devices worldwide. This is expected to increase throughout 2012. What does this mean for smartphone users? It’s more important than ever to protect yourself from smartphone privacy and security threats. We created this infographic–along with thefull study– to help users understand the risks and how to prevent them:
Downloading new apps on your mobile phone can be entertaining, and even exciting. Some apps really can make your life easier, as well as provide a great source of entertainment for leisure time. Unfortunately, downloading new apps can be risky. The good news? You can download your apps safely and securely by being aware of these five tips:
Know Your Vendor
If you want a specific application, look to a reputable company. Even well-respected companies have been known to inadvertently offer apps that carry malware, but the testing done by a well-established firm is far more reliable than a fly-by-night small-app company you’ve never heard of. A form of malware that’s growing in popularity is one which impersonates well-known apps. Cyber criminals take a recognized product, deconstruct it, add malware such as phishing code or Trojans, reconstruct the app, and repackage it. They often sell these phony apps at a lower price than the originals so that unsuspecting customers think they’re getting a great deal. Good vendors have a reputation to uphold and will not sell you cheap, repackaged product.
Read Before Accepting
Before you click the accept button, read the entire permissions screen on the app, even if it stretches on to several pages. Teach yourself how to pick out the “fine print.” You may notice vaguely worded text informing you that by downloading the app, you are agreeing to give the app company access to your contact list, your call logs and other data saved in your device. If you become knowledgeable about what you might be giving away, you may decide for forgo the download. If you ignore the permissions agreement, the app might freely filch what it needs, which can jeopardize your privacy and safety, as well as the privacy and safety of those on your contact list.
Double-Check on Pricing
Be absolutely sure about the cost of the app. Even some that claim to be free could surprise you with a charge on your bill. Again, read the fine print. If the app you want requests your credit card information, it is not free. In fact, it’s a good policy to avoid downloading any app that’s touted as “free.” Free apps are often loaded with malware poised to extract your private information as soon as the app’s activated.
Ignore Unsolicited Offers
Pop-up ads that intrude on your mobile screen without being invited are highly likely to be infected with some form of malware. They offer everything from screensavers, and ringtones to games and pornography. An excellent rule of thumb is to delete any ad or offer for something you’ve not requested.
Download Mobile Security
Download a trusted, well-researched mobile security package that will protect you and your family from the new waves of cyber-crime. A broad range, stable malware scanning system is always the best idea for worry-free enjoyment of your mobile phone. Don’t take a chance that some cleverly wrought Trojan or malicious spyware might get past your watchful eye. NQ Mobile still offers one of the best and most comprehensive security packages on the mobile security market.
Being mindful of these simple tips will help you and your family members to relax, and enjoy all the amazing activities your mobile phone has to offer.
Most of us enjoy the advantages of smartphone technology with all our senses – texting, talking, listening, and watching images on the screen. However, not everyone can so easily enjoy the benefits of the mobile explosion. Perhaps the best use of new technology is the development of specialized apps for the disabled. Many amazing inventions we see today were conceived in an effort to establish a more meaningful and convenient existence for those whose lives are restricted by medical conditions or physical disadvantages. The advent of the smartphone allows for communication and other services that once may have been impossible for those with disabilities, particularly the visually impaired.
Research is underway for an entire realm of mobile apps for those with low vision and blindness. For Androids, a suite of apps for the visually impaired, which will be available for download at no cost. Already on the market is a navigational app that can help orient a visually impaired person as to their location through a computerized voice, telling them where they are in terms of street addresses, businesses and crossings they may be approaching.
Another assistive app, a lifesaver for for those with low-vision, is able to translate screen information into speech for those who cannot read text.
A special form of mobile Braille is in the research stages for those dependent upon tactile understanding. Other apps are already in commerce that help the visually impaired with reading and recognition, including a money reader and color recognition app.
Another app in the research stages can read a user’s brainwaves to choose and dial a contact. Perhaps this is the future of all mobile devices.
The Android market currently touts a range of apps for the disabled, including one that turns a phone into a tiny, high-powered light to help those whose vision is impaired, or those who might need to send Morse code or strobe signals in an emergency situation.
A Code Repository site, available online, offers open foundational app code that can be built upon and modified for specialized needs. This is a brilliant idea for a jump-off point for programmers who want to develop assistive applications for the disabled.
They may not be as prolific as games, but in the mobile world, there is a rapidly growing number of specialized apps for the disabled, including apps for sign language and updates from governmental agencies regarding disability benefits and developments related to the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA).
As for mobile security, all of your loved ones, especially those who are dependent upon help from others, should have a competent security package installed on their phones. NQ Mobile’s reputation for mobile protection is impeccable.
People with disabilities have a hard enough time in the world accomplishing simple tasks; dealing with malware should not be one of them.
A future Buck Rogers could only have imagined is happening now – no wires, no cards, no bulky equipment, no need to go anywhere. Mobile banking, as well as mobile transactions of all kinds, is on a sharp upward swing. With six billion subscriptions sold in 2011, mobile phones have become an essential tool of daily life. A constant consumer demand for convenient, fast and easy ways to accomplish daily tasks with our mobile devices makes banking, shopping, paying bills and sending money a natural primary function a smartphone. Mobile transactions eliminate the need for a trip to the bank or store, and even exclude the necessity of sitting down at a PC for a few minutes.
Is it safe to do your banking online? The answer is yes – and no. Banks are quickly jumping on the mobile bandwagon, incorporating encryption and heightened security into their mobile systems. It’s a good idea to contact your bank before you assume it’s safe to make transactions on your smartphone, since some banks are moving more slowly than others to accommodate mobile users. If its mobile system’s in place and secure, use the bank’s own software to conduct your transactions. Their website will offer a free download of a mobile app specifically designed to use with their technology. Be sure you’re on your bank’s official and legitimate website, then download away.
What’s the risk? Cybercriminals are working harder than ever to find new ways to crack financial encryption systems, and fool users into giving up private data. A good rule of thumb is to never respond to an SMS message from your bank. Your bank will never try to reach you via text message. You can rest assured that any text message from any bank that asks you to verify your account number, social security number, PIN, password or any other private information, is an example of malware at its finest. Delete any message from a bank or financial institution and, most importantly, never click on any link offered in the message.
If you need to conduct mobile transactions involving your bank, or any other financial entities, try to avoid doing so in a public Wi-Fi environment. A quick check on your account balance or verifying whether your deposit has posted is plenty of time for a malicious device to capture all the information it needs to steal money from your account and breach your privacy. Speed isn’t much of an issue for malware.
There are studies predicting that the onslaught of mobile financial transactions will inevitably lead to more cybercrime. With six billion devices and a slumping world economy, we can depend on cyber criminals to find methods of hacking into our mobile systems with new and increasingly sophisticated malware. Before we begin to pay all our bills, make purchases and do our banking online, we need to be educated about malware, how to recognize it, and how to prevent it. Try to practice safe behaviors and have a strong mobile security product installed on your device. Staying abreast of the news about emerging malware will help keep you stay in the loop for evolving security solutions.
If you have teens or tweens at home, you might assume that their education at schoolincludes the topic of online safety. You could be right, but don’t be smug — lessons in mobile security are probably not being specifically addressed.
One subject kids need to know about is adult-only sites. Parents are reluctant to talk about the sensitive subject of x-rated sites, and probably fall short of having an honest discussion with their kids about such a potentially awkward subject. But, it’s up to parents to make sure our kids are savvy about cyber crime.
Most young students learn safety rules as they pertain to computers as a matter of course. School computer labs generally have strict rules and provide at least some degree of security training. However, the advent of the mobile device has changed everything. On a mobile phone, kids can access just about anything online, with parents and teachers being none the wiser. Formerly prohibited activities on the home or school PC are now fair game for young mobile phone owners. In a secluded environment, kids can open any online door they choose.
On a PC, a student’s activities could be seen by others from a short distance, or if necessary, could be found in the machine’s history or cookies. A smartphone provides a teen with a much more private venue. The phone’s small screen makes it easier to visit questionable websites in private, and to participate in social networking without being disturbed. In fact, a recent study found that almost a third of boys with online access have visited adult-only websites, and almost as many teens admit to sharing private information they would not have otherwise shared. Questionable or pornographic websites ask only that users confirm their age, and anyone can sign in by simply clicking the right buttons.
Regardless of your parental position on x-rated websites, your kids need to know that a great many of these sites feature toxic code that can be harmful to their phones, as well as their safety. Cyber criminals use the invitation to an x-rated site to lure vulnerable users into clicking on malicious links. Uninvited emails and text messages encourage mobile users to visit sites that can unload a mass of malware into the phone. Some malware will scoop up all the personal and private data on the phone, including the user’s geographic location and financial information, and some can make its way to the contact list, sending infectious malware to your kids’ friends and family.
We recommend that you talk with your young mobile users about why they must avoid such sites, and how important it is to delete the invitations to visit them. Educate them on the huge increase in mobile malware, and the importance of protecting their own phones and those of their contacts. There is no available statistic, but it’s safe to say that a large majority of x-rated sites contain malware, if only in their ads and offers. Get involved with your teen’s mobile behaviors and, if appropriate, set parental controls on their phones. It’s also a great idea to install a strong mobile security package on each of the family phones to protect all of your loved ones from the wave of cybercrime that seems to be increasing daily. Kids will be kids; we need to do our best to educate them about mobile safety.
There are some noticeably negative vibes toward Valentine’s Day because the hype seems disrespectful to those without partners. However, there’s always someone who needs a little lift on Valentine’s day, whether it’s your sibling, a parent, your boss or just a friend. If you do have a partner, congratulations! If not, try to ignore the smarmy aspect of Valentine’s day, and make it an opportunity to give to someone else.
Some of these presents you won’t want to give to your Aunt Betty, but, just in case you’re looking for a great gift, check out this cool stuff for smartphone users:
Aqua Box: Who doesn’t want to keep their smartphone safe from water damage? This handy, reasonably priced case is a great gift for people who love the outdoors. It also comes in handy while working in the kitchen and cleaning the family fish tank.
Ringtone and Wallpaper: Customize your own ringtone and wallpaper with favorite music or photo from a special time together. You can make a slideshow of the last family reunion for Grandma, or from your honeymoon for your spouse. Add some special music – the perfect gift!
Designer cases:If you like to spoil your Valentine, check out these designer smartphone cases from Lodis. They’re a bit spendy, but high fashion commands a higher price.
Pool Game: Do you know someone who loves to play pool? This pool game app by Mobile Rated is a great way to fritter away free time, and provides a learning experience, as well.
iStyle: Here’s a cool app, especially for working people. I-Style lets you choose your outfit for the following morning so you don’t have to stand in front of your closet for a half hour in a daze.
Monthly Calendar: An extremely intimate gift for the female in your life, you could gift her with a Menstrual Calendar app. It makes it easier to track those monthly cycles for … whatever reason.
Cooking Apps: Is there a chef in your life? There are so many wonderful apps for cooking, a quick Google search will flood your screen with choices. To make life easier, try Bon Apetit’s eight best apps for healthy cooking. for a list of the eight best healthy cooking apps, and where to get them.
Fly Fishing: An excellent app for the avid fisherman, the fly-fishing app by Orvis is pretty amazing. It not only offers detailed information about fly fishing, fly-tying and other tips, but also provides real-time fishing conditions.
Personalized Skin: This gift could’t be more appropriate! Check out a personalized skin for your favorite person’s beloved smartphone. From leopard to camo, your phone can be as unique as its owner.
Poker: Do you know a poker buff? There’s a slew of poker apps to choose from at this website. A great way to practice for the next real game.
Mobile Security: Give your special person the gift that will protect his or her phone from all kinds of malware and intrusions, and will help find the phone or wipe it clean from a distance if it’s lost!
Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to show someone you care, regardless of your relationship. Here’s hoping your day is filled with sunshine, flowers, kittens, hearts, rainbows, puppies and chocolate.
Regardless of your race, gender preference, marital status, religion or random fixation, there’s an online dating site designed just for you! In our hearts we all know the only truly meaningful thing about being human is love, thus, the wireless architects of all things romantic have made sure we have the appropriate resources for finding love, as well as entertainment, right in our mobile hands!
Most of us know the basic safety rules for online dating: Communicate online a while before you agree to any face-to-face encounter, meet first in a public place for coffee only, let a friend know where you are at all times, and conduct a sexual predator background check. However, there are other reasons to be a little wary when starting out on a new romantic online adventure!
If you haven’t already found out the hard way, it’s a good idea to watch for mobile scams designed for the lovelorn or those searching for a companion. These tend to show up particularly around Valentine’s Day, so don’t let your heart overcome your good sense.
One of the most common forms of spammed email is the phony dating site. Don’t ever click on questionable dating sites – they often contain loaded Trojans that quickly infect your phone with spyware, collecting all your personal data and sending it to an unknown source. How can you spot a “questionable” site? Odd grammar, misspelled words, unfamiliar URLs are all strong hints to stay clear! This holds true for uninvited messages that offer a sneak peek at naked people, or a date with a beautiful Russian girl. If you need to access something like this, find a legitimate site – yes, there are porn sites that won’t infect your mobile device. Just don’t click on the ads.
You may see in your inbox a friendly dating message that appear to be sent from one of your own contacts. If you get one of these, you have a virus, and so does your friend.
Valid, reliable dating sites often have ads for various products, most of them at least vaguely related to relationships – e-cards, personal hygiene products, romantic screensavers, weight loss programs and, interestingly, other dating services. Avoid these. If you need one of these products, do a search and find a trusted, well-known site.
If you’re looking for love online, or even just a friendly movie date, here’s to your success! Thousands of couples have met online and have married or stayed together in lasting, meaningful relationships. Protect your mobile device and your personal data with a trusted and well-known security package before you go “shopping” for love, and don’t settle for anything less than the best!
While there’s an abundance of malware, cyber-theft and security threats to your mobile device, perhaps the most pervasive way that we “lose” our phones is through death by drowning. Most of know of at least one person whose phone has met its watery end. Only our phone retailers and carriers know the real truth about how often this mishap occurs. Whether it’s the kitchen sink, the ocean, a downpour, a puddle, or even a toilet, thousands of phones take a dive every day.
So far, there is no known software download for slippery fingers or accident prevention, but there are a few things to know for that miserable day when you or your kids accidentally drench your favorite mobile device.
If you want to spend the money and have your phone out-of-pocket for a while, check out the new nano-technology called Liquipel. The company will coat your phone, apparently inside and out, with a protective waterproof shield so you never have to think about this issue again.
If you’d prefer something less dramatic, check out the Aqua Box or Aqua case, available through Amazon or your local WalMart store. Particularly if you work in a wet environment, you may just as well protect the thing before it gets dunked.
A more industrial strength version of a waterproof case is the Eco Pod. This case comes in emergency colors, and includes a waterproof headset jack. It’s about twice as expensive, but depending on your needs, may be well worth the investment. The waterproof Bubble Shield is like a raincoat for your phone. It’s a lighter-weight protection and comes in packages of multiple units. Try the Gadget Guy to find these products if you’re going to the beach or planning on an extra glass of wine in the hot tub.
So, what can you do if your phone does get a good soaking? First of all, know that the longer you wait to react, the more inevitable the demise of your phone. Mobitary offers a set of rules about how to respond to the dreaded event. Essentially, you should not try to turn your phone on to see if it works. Remove the battery and SIM card immediately and dry the phone with something other than a hair dryer.
The best bet is to plunge your smartphone into a bag of desiccant. Some people say white rice works, but I know for certain this is not always true. In your emergency cupboard, keep on hand a bag of “Bheestie,” a desiccant that will suck the moisture out of any hand held device in twenty-four hours. It’s not cheap, but neither is a new phone.
If you must take your gadget into the shower you might want to check out the pricey, blue-tooth enabled “i-Shower,” made by iDevices.com. It’s also available through Gadget Guy.
Our blog normally covers threats to your smartphone from Trojans, viruses, spyware and all forms of mobile malware. In this wintry weather, it seemed a good time to discuss the other biggest threat to your phone. There’s no statistic available about smartphone drownings, but we all know if there were, the number would be high. Just a reminder — don’t forget to download the best mobile security software on the market, NQ Mobile. It won’t keep your phone dry, but it will keep you safe from everything else.
It’s time to go to lunch, but you still have calls to make and work to do. Thank the universe for technology that lets you work online in a restaurant or coffee shop! Wi-Fi hotspots are unique in that they allow you to recreate and work in the same environment. With no fluorescent lights, no cubicles or interruptions, using a cozy niche to take care of business in a hotspot can help you be more productive or perhaps, even more creative. A coffee shop often provides soothing music, low lights and a rather subdued ambience that you won’t find at work.
Most of us know that a Wi-Fi hotspot can be a goldmine for cybercriminals. Our calls can be monitored, our data lifted and stolen, our passwords compromised and our contacts stolen. Does this mean we should never use a hotspot as a smartphone oasis? Not at all.
Here are a couple of pro-active ideas that might resolve the concerns you have about using your favorite hotspots.
First, try discussing the Wi-Fi situation with the business owner. Find out what level of encryption the network has in place, and tell her your concerns. If you learn that the owner has purposefully left the network wide open to accommodate the majority of customers, express your personal willingness to use a password or to download their modem software, in exchange for heightened safety. In fact, most people are willing to take a few extra steps to ensure their safety and security. The owner might consider that tightening her network’s security would allow her to tout her hotspot as a safe place to be online –a move that would almost certainly draw a larger number of regular customers.
Downloading a powerful security product is a path to comfort and peace of mind when working, phoning or texting outside of your work or home environment. Good security software will alert you to potential dangers before they make contact with your smartphone, so you’ll never need to worry about unseen malware or undetected activities on your phone.
Finally, encourage your favorite café to provide more secluded seating options if they haven’t already done so. Privacy from prying eyes is almost as important as cyber security in a Wi-Fi environment. Your pleasant break at a hotspot can be a comfortable and productive one if you take some measures to protect yourself from the ever-present threat of cybercrime.
Here’s to a nice lunch and a steaming cup of delectable coffee!
vaporizing malware before it becomes a threat to our 120 million customers. That’s quite a feat, but our 250 experts are certainly up to the task. Recognized internationally for innovation and quality, NQ Mobile has released a comprehensive report of our 2011 security findings today. In our next few blog posts, we’ll take a more in-depth look at some of the specific results aspects of the report, and explore what some of the findings might indicate for the future of mobile.
Some apps really can make your life easier, as well as provide a great source of entertainment for leisure time. Unfortunately, downloading new apps can be risky. The good news? You can download your apps safely and securely by being aware of these five tips:
texting, talking, listening, and watching images on the screen. However, not everyone can so easily enjoy the benefits of the mobile explosion. Perhaps the best use of new technology is the development of specialized apps for the disabled. Many amazing inventions we see today were conceived in an effort to establish a more meaningful and convenient existence for those whose lives are restricted by medical conditions or physical disadvantages. The advent of the smartphone allows for communication and other services that once may have been impossible for those with disabilities, particularly the visually impaired.
cards, no bulky equipment, no need to go anywhere. Mobile banking, as well as mobile transactions of all kinds, is on a sharp upward swing. With six billion subscriptions sold in 2011, mobile phones have become an essential tool of daily life. A constant consumer demand for convenient, fast and easy ways to accomplish daily tasks with our mobile devices makes banking, shopping, paying bills and sending money a natural primary function a smartphone. Mobile transactions eliminate the need for a trip to the bank or store, and even exclude the necessity of sitting down at a PC for a few minutes.
includes the topic of online safety. You could be right, but don’t be smug — lessons in mobile security are probably not being specifically addressed.
There are some noticeably negative vibes toward Valentine’s Day because the hype seems disrespectful to those without partners. However, there’s always someone who needs a little lift on Valentine’s day, whether it’s your sibling, a parent, your boss or just a friend. If you do have a partner, congratulations! If not, try to ignore the smarmy aspect of Valentine’s day, and make it an opportunity to give to someone else.
fixation, there’s an online dating site designed just for you! In our hearts we all know the only truly meaningful thing about being human is love, thus, the wireless architects of all things romantic have made sure we have the appropriate resources for finding love, as well as entertainment, right in our mobile hands!
mobile device, perhaps the most pervasive way that we “lose” our phones is through death by drowning. Most of know of at least one person whose phone has met its watery end. Only our phone retailers and carriers know the real truth about how often this mishap occurs. Whether it’s the kitchen sink, the ocean, a downpour, a puddle, or even a toilet, thousands of phones take a dive every day.
Our blog normally covers threats to your smartphone from Trojans, viruses, spyware and all forms of mobile malware. In this wintry weather, it seemed a good time to discuss the other biggest threat to your phone. There’s no statistic available about smartphone drownings, but we all know if there were, the number would be high. Just a reminder — don’t forget to download the best mobile security software on the market, 
It’s time to go to lunch, but you still have calls to make and work to do. Thank the universe for technology that lets you work online in a restaurant or coffee shop! Wi-Fi hotspots are unique in that they allow you to recreate and work in the same environment. With no fluorescent lights, no cubicles or interruptions, using a cozy niche to take care of business in a hotspot can help you be more productive or perhaps, even more creative. A coffee shop often provides soothing music, low lights and a rather subdued ambience that you won’t find at work.