Hacker attacks on smart phones are increasing.
Employees have begun using their smartphones to download coupons and price-comparison apps and to make online purchases. This puts consumers and their companies at elevated risks, say technologists and security experts.
"In our bring-your-own-device to work culture, people are using smartphones for both personal and business use — and attacks on these devices are on the rise," says Harry Sverdlove, chief technology officer at network security firm Bit9.
Smartphone attacks are in their infancy compared to PC hacks. They mostly come in the form of malicious apps for games, music and ringtones that phone users get enticed to download, says Armando Orozco, mobile threats analyst at Webroot.
"When installed, these apps gain control of your device to transmit your personal information, control search results and send text messages to premium numbers," Orozco says.
Android phones, so far, are the biggest target because of Google's open approach to letting third-party apps run on its operating system. Bit9 recently released a report showing the Top 12 smartphone handset models most vulnerable to being hacked. All 12 were Android models, led by the Samsung Galaxy Mini, HTC Desire and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10.
Apple's iPhone isn't immune. Websites, like Jailbreakme.com, offer free programs to iPhone owners who wish to circumvent Apple's tight restrictions on which apps they can load on their phones. Hackers could use similar techniques to slip malicious apps onto Apple products, says Matthew Prince, CEO of website security firm CloudFlare.http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-11-22/bring-your-own-devices/51438324/1