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By Veronica C. Silv, Contributor
Security risks to mobile devices such as mobile
phones, smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDA) are not
yet a major issue these days compared to the 1980s when computer
networks were once vulnerable to such threats.
However, a security expert said companies should
nonetheless be prepared just in case criminal elements, such as
hackers, may beat them to it and steal valuable company information
usually made available to corporate mobile workers.
The security expert said malware and viruses
currently attacking mobile devices are usually simple nuisance
viruses, such as those which can freeze the operating system (OS) or
change the user’s preferences.
More dangerous security threats to mobile
devices may include stealing company data stored in mobile devices
or stealing identity during mobile banking transactions.
Craig Johnston, Asia Pacific Regional Channel
Manager of anti-virus developer ESET, LLC, is not yet sounding the
panic alarm to send corporate security managers scrambling to buy
the latest anti-virus or security software.
Far from it, Johnston said security threats on
mobile devices are “not serious” and “limited” and does not
pose a risk to companies. Not yet, that is.
Johnston said that in the “not too distant
future”—something that he still cannot pinpoint exactly
when—and as mobile devices become more powerful, connected and
host more applications, companies will have to include in their
corporate strategies security solutions for the mobile devices of
their workforce.
Johnston said criminal elements prying on the
digital infrastructure and security experts, such as software
developers and security managers, are in a cat-and-mouse race to
outwit each other.
Johnston, an IT expert for more than 27 years,
15 of which are in the field of IT security, said he can only guess
that as early as now, there are already criminal elements out there
who are studying existing communications networks for mobile users
and applications, and starting to probe and exploit holes in the
infrastructure.
Companies who feel that they have far more
valuable data in the powerful, interconnected mobile devices of
their workforce should consider these security strategies and
prepare rather than be victimized.
“Companies need to start thinking about it
[mobile anti-virus solutions] considering the resources on the
mobile devices and risks associated [with these devices],” said
Johnston.
Eset has its own Nod32 anti-virus solutions for
the traditional PC-server network of computers and has a mobile
anti-virus software available in public beta. Trial licenses are
currently available from the Internet but commercialization is
expected within the next six months.
But even before their solution can be fully
developed, Johnston is not discounting the possibility that security
threats to mobile devices may become serious.
VSSC Distribution Inc. is Eset’s local channel
partner responsible for selling the company’s anti-virus
solutions.
VSSC President Ciriaco “Jun” Santos said
they are currently in talks with retailers to sell the mobile
anti-virus software to individual consumers, while they are also
talking to company security officials to sell the idea of IT
security particularly for telecommuting workers.
VSSC claims that one of the largest mobile
device applications providers and one of the largest mobile service
providers in the country are using Eset’s security solutions.
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