McAfee Warns Mobile Users (Again)

December 20, 2005 - source: BWCS

Seeing as few people listened last year, and to be fair, few real threats emerged, software security firm McAfee has issued another warning that mobile security threats are expected to triple next year. According to the US-based anti-virus company, the danger will come as an increasing number of consumer and business users switch to using smart phones.

McAfee said that it expects there will be around 550 new malicious software programmes created exclusively for mobile devices during the coming year. According to the company 2005 saw the birth of an estimated 226 mobile viruses.

In addition to anti-mobile viruses the company says it expects to see a rise in the number of maclicious phishing attacks, where hackers try to access users bank account details. However, the company says that viruses are expected to grow fastest next year.

Naturally the anti-virus outfit is concerned that most consumers view the threat of a mobile attack as less likely to affect them than an infiltration on their PCs.