Unfortunately, smartphones are prone to getting viruses. In fact, four percent of Americans will receive a virus in the coming year. This number has grown from 2009. At that time, the number was only one percent of smartphone users. Consumers need to make sure they are protected. Mobile applications are available to assist with this endeavor. Here are some tips about cell phones and malware that will help keep a cell phone protected.
Smartphones can indeed be infected with viruses and other forms of malware.
How Can You Tell When You Have a Virus?
A phone that has a virus will begin to operate slower than normal. Navigation times may increase and load times may increase. The phone screen may become completely blank, or the phone may have limited functionality. The phones behavior will largely depend on the type of virus that has been downloaded.
How Does a Phone Get Infected?
Most cell phones have protective measures in place that make them safer than computers. Even with the cell phone protective measures, the phones may become vulnerable to attackers through Bluetooth technology. When numbers are transferred via this technology, malware can be installed onto smartphones. Phone with Internet are also vulnerable. Downloading applications to the phone, text messages and videos can also compromise smartphones.
[Read also: Here’s What You Need to Know About Android Malware]
What Statistics are Available Regarding Viruses?
Between 2009 and 2011, the number of malware cases increased. The number almost quadrupled and increased from 4,781 cases to 22,600 cases. Android phones have been especially under attack. Since nearly 47 percent of the phones in America are Android-based and 75% of mobile malware targets Android, this poses a huge concern in terms of security.
How Can You Remove a Virus?
Viruses can easily be removed by using a malware removal program. Companies, such as Webroot, offer malware removal programs in conjunction with the malware prevention programs. The programs have a friendly interface that is easy to navigate and use. Most people can use malware programs without any technical savvy. This is essential to the proper operation of a cell phone.
How Can You Protect Against a Virus?
The best way to protect your smartphone is to install updates as quickly as you can and avoid installing apps from sites that you don’t know much about.
The most popular way to protect against a virus is to download an application to help in the fight. Some of the most popular virus protection applications can be obtained for free. The most popular applications for virus protection include: Webroot SecureAnywhere Mobile, Avast Free Mobile Security, AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free, and Norton Mobile Security Lite.
These popular anti-virus software programs not only protect against viruses but also against theft and loss. If the phone is lost, there are remote locking features and GPS features designed to locate the phone’s location. Data from the phone can also be erased remotely.
To keep the phone protected, updates may continually be downloaded from the application to the phone. This will ensure that the latest viruses cannot affect the smartphone. Since smartphones are like mini-computers, the protective measures should be handled similarly.
Protect Your Phone Against Viruses
If you have a smartphone, download a free anti-virus application immediately. Most of the best applications are produced by reputable businesses that also have small business solutions. Web security is not just for your computer anymore. The best way to protect a smartphone is to prevent a virus from attacking the phone. Since software applications are free, for the most part, you have nothing to lose by trying out one of the many anti-virus, anti-malware applications.
[Read also: How to Prevent Cell Phone Hacking]
Should we be concerned about viruses on our smartphones? Tell us what you think in the comments.
It is tough especially when you are using an Android phone. I myself is an Android user and what I practice so far is to only download apps from the Android market, not rooting my phone and use a free antivirus from Avast. I did a weekly scan as well although I don’t think it is necessary for a phone.
Thats the biggest problem of smartphones. I have used just one smartphone and It was getting problems when I have downloaded many games and apps. From then I have stopped using that phone and currently using a normal phone.
However I am not a great mobile phone lover so left using that. 🙂
Hi Alex, to be honest I never considered that viruses could pose a significant threat for mobiles, so I was really interested in reading your article.
At the end where you mention you have nothing to loose trying free anti-virus software, I would agree to an extent, however that is not entirely true. Some viruses disguise themselves as free anti-virus software, so it could potentially pose a threat, also it may slow your phone down. I see what you are saying though 🙂
Thanks Alex
Christopher – Technology Bloggers Admin Team
I use normal phones because i know this is the main problem arises in smartphones.and much not know how to tackle this problem.
thanks for sharing this blog…………
I never thought that a cellphone could get a virus! I always have had a phone with me that has Bluetooth, never thought my phone can potentially be infected.
Well, because mobile phones (smartphones to be exact) nowadays can connect to the Internet, it is not surprising that they can probably get malware or viruses.
We all need to protect our phones from prying eyes as people always store really precious stuff on there. They store phone numbers, photos, even home movies.
Yes! I know This is the main problem of all smart phone. Actually i used of multimedia smartphones. due to this problem i have changed my cell phone. and now i am using only simple phone. I am satisfied with my phone. Thanks
This is a good article. From history, Mac’s were never targetted as Windows PC’s were more popular, hence if your producing a virus, its beter to produce it for a mass used OS like Windows. Now Android and APple are popular and used by everybody, they have made themselves a target for a virus.
Am really fed up by these viruses and Mostly attacking Android Phones and you always need to get an Antivirus intsalled.
Sure! I realize This is the main problem off mobile phone. In fact when i utilized involving multimedia system smartphones. due to this trouble we’ve improved my cellular telephone. and after this i am using only simple phone. My business is satisfied with my phone. Thank you. 😀
Can one of my cell phones (I only use this one on wifi) that has recently gotten a virus-does the blinking fluttering page sometimes and now has taken to waking me up with alarms I don’t set and other oddball things) give a p.c. a virus. I want to download my pictures to google plus but don’t want to mess up a computer.
Can a factory reset fix it also?
Thank you, really appreciate your web site! Jan