Be prepared for the year of mobile malware

The number of types of attack on mobile devices may not be growing, but circumstances are conspiring to create a genuine threat, says Rik Ferguson.

The rise in threats to mobile devices is definitely real, although still a long way from reaching epidemic proportions. The real message for the coming months is about preparedness.

There were a limited number of new threats in 2009, but a significant increase in their complexity and criminal intent. Signs are that consumer acceptance of mobile phone-based financial activity is now mainstream, with handset banking applications even being advertised on primetime television.