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Do You Need Security Software On Your Mobile Device?

Security programs like firewalls, antivirus, and anti-spyware are just common sense in most PC scenarios, at least for the Windows market. The Mac and Linux platforms are the target of far fewer attacks than their Microsoft-powered brethren. What about your smartphone? Should you worry about being attacked?

According to ChannelWeb, there is a worm that is targeting some Symbian S60 devices that are built by Nokia. It spreads via SMS messages. "Once installed, the worm executes as "EConServer.exe" masked alongside the legitimate process "EComServer.exe" and runs every time the device is rebooted. In addition to comprising multiple variations, the worm is designed to destroy certain processes, such as the application manager."

I think the key here is "once installed." This worm requires social engineering to happen. I suppose if you are prone to installing any old application that appears to come from an acquaintance, then you need security software, but that type of person would be the type least likely to have it.

iPhone has at least one antivirus application, but it only scans the phone from your Mac when it is docked. Android, S60, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile all have at least one antivirus app that you can install on the device.

You should assess your own needs, but I really don't think these applications are necessary. First of all, no Windows virus will run on any of these devices. It is the wrong operating system and none of these devices use an Intel x86 based processor. While I won't say it is impossible, it is less likely that you can get a virus like this without user intervention, such as clicking a link and agreeing to install it. Most mobile platforms have less automation built in than a PC does. No spreadsheets or documents run macros and browsers don't have near the level of scripting that the desktop versions do.

For now, and the foreseeable future, I'll continue to do what I've always done. I never install apps when friends send me the link unless I know about the app first, and I won't install any security software on my phone. That may save me a few dollars, and it will certainly be one less process running that would be consuming CPU cycles and RAM. What about you? Have you installed a security program on your phone?

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