Muahz.Net Bridge – Christ DiBona, director of Google's open source software, on Google Plus has stated that the anti-virus software for mobile devices (smart phones, tablets) is a bluff and fraud. Two Vietnamese security firms, BKAV and CMC have denied this.
The BKAV’s anti-virus software launching ceremony
Though the information was only released by Christ DiBona on Google Plus, the words were spoken by a person on the high position of a big information technology service firm in the world may have big impacts on the people using anti-virus software for mobile phones.Vietnamese anti-virus firms have reactions
Chris DiBona believes that there is no virus risk on mobile devices like on computer, and that anti-virus firms have been trying to sell anti-virus software products to seek profit from the fear of users.
To date, some big security brands in the world, including Symantec and Kaspersky and Vietnamese firms have been providing anti-virus software products in Vietnam. Security experts said that several years ago, virus could not appear on mobile phones, but the situation has changed.
CMC Infosec said that the open source software director of Google keeps misunderstanding about anti-virus software for mobile devices.
Vu Ngoc Son, a senior executive of BKAV, said that in 2011, BKAV discovered nearly 4000 types of virus on the mobile phones using Android operating system. Meanwhile, less viruses, or no virus have been found on the phones using other operating systems.
Meanwhile, a survey of Juniper Networks has pointed out that in just three months of 2011, the number of malware pieces on Android increased by 500 percent.
According to Son, unlike computer hackers, who have to hijack computers or deeply penetrate into the systems to steal information, the viruses on mobile phones can dwindle users while no need to hijack the devices. The viruses on mobile devices can spread out like computer viruses, when users download files and install software in accordance with the links given.
BKAV has discovered the software on Symbian operating system spreading malware through messages. When users click on the link given, the software piece would be automatically installed.
Foreign security firms agree
Son has said that big security firms in the world have reacted to the statement of DiBona, saying that the man cannot tell the difference between normal software and the software dangerous to users. Therefore, he has mistaken computer viruses for mobile phone viruses.
The US Symantec security firm, though has not had direct reactions to the statement of the Google’s executive, has recently sent to media firms in Vietnam a press release about the malware on mobile devices. The move means that the US security firm reaffirms its viewpoint about the existence of viruses on mobile phones.
In the notice, Symantec said it shares the same view with security experts that in 2011 was the year when malware on mobile devices developed rapidly, becoming one of the big threats. About the situation in 2012, Symantec said that it seems that the viruses have settled down to prepare for a stronger development period.
Symantec has also announced that it has discovered a new deception app which assumes the names of some popular games on Android Market, called Android Steek. Besides, Symantec has also discovered a new malware on mobile phone which exploits users’ worry about the controversial software Carrier IQ (http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/day-after-year-mobile-malware). Under the name of a tool that helps eliminate Carrier IQ, the malicious software, called Android Qicsomos, targets the smart phone users in France.
Source: TBKTSG
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