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How To Not Catch a Mobile Virus |
More in the news today about the source code for a Symbian based virus
which spreads over Bluetooth. It's availability is expected to make the
virus more common among Smartphone users) Things like this are
frustrating because you have to wonder what it is these virus writers
are trying to achieve.
When it comes to Windows on your desktop,
virus releases usually exploit gaping vulnerabilities in the OS, but
when it comes to infecting a Symbian Smartphone, the success of an
infection attempt depends entirely on the user; if the OS did any more
to stop the virus installing itself, it would render the Smartphone
locked down in the same way Microsoft Smartphones are, not letting you
install anything that has not been approved by the 'Powers that Be'.
The
good news is that at the moment, being safe from a Symbian virus is as
easy as not doing anything, and it's what you're not doing that will
keep you safe...
Keep your Bluetooth switched off. Windows
viruses come over the internet but the current bunch of variations on
the cabir virus comes over Blue tooth. You can use software such as
Extended Profiles from PsiLoc to
turn your Bluetooth on and off according to the time of day, so maybe
you can use that to only have Bluetooth active when you're driving, for
instance.
If you don't want to keep your Bluetooth off, make
sure you can't be discovered. You can do this in the Bluetooth settings
by changing 'My Phone's Visibility' to Hidden.
If you want to
remain visible, or discoverable, then don't accept messages from
strangers. If you're on the train and your phone tells you that there's
an incoming connection, reject it every time. Don't go looking for the
evil offender who cunningly tried to send it to you, however, since the
chances are that they don't know what their phone is doing.
If,
though, you want to receive a file from a stranger (some innocent fun
can be had by sending and receiving funny pictures to and from
strangers in public places - keep it clean ;-), then check the file
before opening it. If the name of the file ends with .sis, DELETE IT!
The chances of a stranger sending you an innocent application at random
are very slim and so if they've sent you an installer (which a .sis
file is), it is very likely to be a virus.
If you've
accidentally opened the file, just cancel the install when you're
warned about it's security. Symbian Smartphones are very careful about
security and will hold your hand all the way through an install process
for new software - the only thing it won't do is force you to not
install it.
So, as you can see, you can make it impossible for
your Smartphone to become infected. Here alone, you can see the steps
you can take to make a virus' life difficult.
Ultimately,
nothing can be installed onto your Smartphone without your permission
so, unless you're in the process of installing some software, reject
everything that tries to install.
For extra peace of mind, you can install anti-virus software onto your phone (see online shops such as Handango
for a number of available applications - but keep away from TSG Phone
Safe though), but ultimately, your Smartphone's security is only as
strong as the weakest link. Don't let that link be you.
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