FAQ- download from Internet (GPRS)
- synchronization with a PC or with another mobile device (via cable, Bluetooth or infrared)
- infected storage card
- Bluetooth communication between two smartphones
- email attachments
- MMS (multimedia messages)
Viruses for mobile devices can:
- Delete files, databases, etc.
- Infect files
- Dial premium tax numbers or send SMS/MMS to premium tax numbers
- Send private information from the mobile device
- Facilitate external attacks (like a backdoor)
- Drain the battery
As capabilities expand, security is traded for functionality, giving rise to a whole new class of opportunities for malicious attacks. Much like viruses on a computer, viruses on mobile devices can delete files, infect files, send private information from the mobile device, facilitate external attacks and/or drain the battery.
Q: What should people do to protect themselves from mobile viruses?
One way woulds be to avoid activating or using much of the functionality of their smartphones unless really necessary. For instance, they should not keep their Bluetooth connection in discovery mode at all times. This kind of discipline becomes inconvenient after a while, though, so the best advice would be to use an antivirus, preferably one which is light on the already-limited computing resources of their phone or PDA.
Q: How does BitDefender detect and block viruses on mobile devices?
Similar to a PC antivirus program, there is a virus shield that scans the files before executing them.
Q: How is the virus definiton database updated?
Update can be performed:
- directly from Internet (through GPRS)
- by synchronizing the signature database with the one from a PC
BitDefender Mobile Security v2 works on the following types of mobile devices:
- Windows Mobile Pocket PC versions 2002 and higher
- Windows Mobile Smartphone versions 2002 and higher
- Symbian™ 60 (Symbian 7.x/8.x),
- Symbian™ 80 (Symbian 7.x).
