Smartphones 'at risk' from malware

2010-02-24

Smartphones are not immune to data security problems, new research has indicated, and software attacks could even drain the battery life of the mobile devices or track the owner's movements.

Computer scientists from Rutgers University found that these attacks could occur without the owner knowing about them.

They worked with three students to study malware known as rootkits, which attack computers' operating systems. It is only possible to detect rootkits from outside a corrupted operating system with a specialised tool known as a virtual machine monitor. This can look into every system operation and data structure.

According to the researchers, rootkit attacks on smartphones could be more devastating because owners often carry phones with them all the time. They also suggested that tablet computers could be threatened by this form of malware.

The scientists also said that malware can attack smartphones in different ways, such as via Bluetooth or a text message.

"Smartphones are essentially becoming regular computers. They run the same class of operating systems as desktop and laptop computers, so they are just as vulnerable to attack by malicious software or malware," said Vinod Ganapathy, assistant professor of computer science in Rutgers' School of Arts and Sciences.

The researchers demonstrated their findings recently at a mobile computing workshop in Maryland.

"We're showing that people with general computer proficiency can create rootkit malware for smart phones. The next step is to work on defenses," commented computer science professor Liviu Iftode.

The team will also head to the International Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applications to talk about its research.

These developments may be even more of a concern given predictions around the growth of the smartphone market.

ABI Research recently predicted that in 2015, shoppers across the globe are expected to spend around $119 billion (£77 billion) on goods and services purchased over mobile phones.

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