Mobile malware set to surge

MOBILE SECURITY malware will triple next year as mobile devices in general and smart phones in particular get more popular.

This is according to a study by McAfee Avert Labs. It reckons there could be over 700 bits of malicious code for mobiles out there by the end of next year. That compares with an estimated 226 at present.

Also expected to rise are phishing attacks and so-called potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) like adware and spyware.

A key part of the problem, apparently, is the failure of mobile device users to perceive their smart phones and PDAs as equally vulnerable to their PCs. µ

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