Mobile malware up 30%

Security threats to mobile devices are increasing and will reach critical proportions within the next 18 months, What PC? reports.

Experts say malware that targets devices such as smartphones, laptops and PDAs has increased 30 percent since the beginning of 2006.

As the sophistication of mobile devices catches up with that of PCs they will contain more sensitive data and increase the security threat significantly.

“Give it another year and mobile security will be an issue. Blueshooting from a malicious device can steal data from another Bluetooth-enabled mobile device without the victim even knowing. Bluetooth was not designed with security in mind and varies from device to device, making it easier to target than to fix. The only way to protect against the threat is to switch it off,” said one expert.

“I guess you could call it the new frontier; we are living in a mobile community and I think we will see more mobile device threats,” said an FBI agent focused on cyber crime.