Cyber-criminals adapting computer viruses for smartphones
HACKERS have begun adapting tried-and-true computer infections to work on internet-enabled smartphones. Global smartphone shipments topped 54 million in the first three months of this year, a 57 per cent jump from a year ago, according to research firm IDC.
The cyber-underground took notice. Download the wrong wallpaper application for your Google Android phone and you could get one that will harvest the phone and voicemail numbers, and data that can disclose your location.
Mobile security firm Lookout discovered 80 such Android web apps late last month, which have since been taken down by Google, said Lookout CEO John Hering.
