Be afraid. Be very afraid. As you read this, your cellphone or tablet computer could be falling under the control of one of thousands of viruses specially designed to root out sensitive data like e-mail addresses and internet banking passwords, and beam them over the web to cyber criminals on the other side of the world.
That, at least, is what the makers of anti-virus software for mobile devices will have you believe.
Is this irresponsible scaremongering, or should you really install anti-virus software on all your mobile devices without delay?
Makers of anti-virus products are notorious for exaggerating the threat. Just last week one of them, Symantec, sheepishly admitted that it had been wrong to accuse several Android applications of being wolves in sheep’s clothing whose real purpose was not to entertain or inform, but sneak malicious software on to mobile devices.
But even if you disregard their alarmist hype and occasional outright fibs, it’s becoming increasingly clear that you should invest in some form of anti-virus protection.
While the threat is nowhere near as dire as anti-virus vendors claim, cyber criminals are increasingly targeting mobile devices – hardly surprising, given that many of us now use these powerful, internet-connected mini computers for online shopping, banking and games purchases – to name just a few.
Gadgets running Apple’s mobile operating system are generally safer than others, thanks to the company’s obsession with only allowing you to install programmes it has vetted, so you could probably get away without anti-virus protection on your iPhone or iPad.
If you’ve got another brand of mobile device, though, particularly one powered by Google’s Android operating system, you should definitely install anti-virus software. Why single out Android? There are several reasons.
First, there are now more Android smartphones around than any other kind, so creators of viruses are naturally seeking to cash in on their popularity. Then there’s the added advantage, from the cyber crook’s point of view, that – unlike Apple devices – it’s easy for Android phone and tablet users to install apps that haven’t been vetted by Google.
For many, the appeal of Android is this freedom to install third-party software without the restrictions of “walled garden” app stores like Apple’s. But with this freedom comes risk.
So what brand of anti-virus software should you get? There’s not enough space to list them all here, but most experts agree you should probably go for one of the premium, paid-for programmes rather than a free app. Many of the supposedly free options turn out merely to be trial versions of the paid apps anyway.
Most good anti-virus apps will also offer the ability to track your mobile device if it is lost or stolen, via WiFi, GPS and its cellular signal. They’ll also let you remotely lock it, making it useless to the thief; sound an ear-piercing alarm; and even wipe its contents clean, essential if the device contains sensitive work or personal data.
Buying anti-virus software for your phone or tablet can seem like a grudge purchase. But most are very reasonably priced for the peace of mind they provide, especially when you factor in extra features like anti-theft and tracking.
Be warned, though, even if you do have anti-virus software, it may not pick up a virus or worm hidden in an app if the malware’s too new to have made it on to a virus watch-list.
You should also be aware that the biggest risk to your phone – and by extension your bank account – is not a virus, it’s clicking on an e-mail link or replying to an SMS.
Never click through to one of your online accounts via a link in an e-mail. Instead, use the appropriate app or type in the internet address of the website.
Replying to an SMS from an unfamiliar number could subscribe you to a foreign premium line service that will add thousands to your bill in a shockingly short space of time.
If you have international roaming enabled, cancel it now and reinstate it just before you travel. That way, you’ll have a much easier time persuading your service provider that you don’t owe them more than your house is worth. - Sunday Tribune