Security on mobile phones

Wammer

It has just occurred to me, do mobile phones need a firewall and anti-virus seeing as they can access the internet?

If so, any recommendations for one that would be suitable?

MarkBargain

I think very few people use security software on mobile phones, but it is something that could become more of an issue as more people get the internet on their phones and do more with it.

in_the_Cotswolds

Blackberry has one installed.

Blackpool_Saver

Hmmmm, do Iphones not need it like macs?

Horace

I know that my android phone has a firewall.

I use a free app called Lookout which checks my other apps and keeps my phone safe.

gjchester

Wammer wrote: »

It has just occurred to me, do mobile phones need a firewall and anti-virus seeing as they can access the internet?

If so, any recommendations for one that would be suitable?

Mark's right, No phone *needs* on yet, as they are not that common as mobile virus don't really exist yet as a serious threat.

However there are a few Androids apps that have been known to pass data back, more malware than virus. Android market places is reported to be easier to put malware on than the Apples App store, as apple have tighter control on what goes in the store.

Jailbroken iPhones can be corrupted but again more for malware than a virus as such. Unjailbroken phones can't be compromiosed yet as far as I know but no doubt as it's a popular platform it's coming soon.

Blackberrys firewall is a slight misnomer, it's more a control method than a true firewall so an IT group can have centralised control of the device (which lets fact it could contain company secrets) in case of loss or theft. It's not normally setup on personal blackberrys, its aimed at the corporate level. Think more a prevent an app running than stop a permitted app sending data in or out. If you manage to get a compromised app to run on a blackberry with firewall enabled it will still allow the data out, but getting it to run is more of the issue.

nsabournemouth

Take a look at these

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.symantec.mobilesecurity&feature=search_result

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.antivirus&feature=search_result

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout&feature=search_result

All very good security apps. The best way to avoid having your information shared is look at the permissions an app will ask for. Does a game need to read your contacts ? Some apps do but never get an app for free if it will cost you on the Android Market or it may cost you!

Wammer

nsabournemouth wrote: »

never get an app for free if it will cost you on the Android Market or it may cost you!

Sorry I don't quite understand what you mean, can you explain? Thanks

gjchester

Wammer wrote: »

Sorry I don't quite understand what you mean, can you explain? Thanks

He's saying don't install a "crack" or "Warez" copy of something that is being sold on the market jsut to save paying the cash. For something like security software a cracked version may already be hacked and give you no protection or even worse be the program doing the data theft.