National Campaign Warns of Smartphone Scams

We’ve been talking about it for months but now a national computer security campaign is urging smartphone users to do more to protect themselves from unwittingly downloading malware applications.

A joint initiative between the government, police and industry, called Get Safe Online, said it was concerned that users of smartphones, such as Android devices, were not taking steps to protect their devices.

Their claim; is that that there has been an increase in smartphone malware as the market has grown.  As predicted, criminals are typically creating Trojan copies of reputable apps and tricking users into installing them. Once on the phone, the app can secretly generate cash for criminals through premium rate text messages.

If your smartphone is not armed with protection, then please take advantage of our FREE smartphone security trial!  Click here to find out more.

No Link between Cancer and Mobile Phones According to New Study

The health risks associated with mobile phone use have been much debated over the last 20years, but the latest study suggests that there is no link between mobile phones and brain cancer. 

The study led by the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Denmark looked at more than 350,000 people with mobile phones over an 18-year period.  The researchers concluded that users were at no greater risk than anyone else of developing brain cancer. The findings, published on the British Medical Journal website, come after a series of studies have come to similar conclusions.

However, there has also been some research casting doubt on mobile phone safety, prompting the World Health Organization to warn that they could still be carcinogenic. 

As the debate rages on, have the questions over mobile phone safety ever curbed your personal usage?  Do you take precautions against potential over use?

HTC Dealt Disappointment in their battle with Apple

HTC has faced a major blow in their ongoing legal battle with Apple over patents. 

HTC had asked the court to ban imports of several Apple products in to the US citing patent infringements.  However, The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled that Apple did not violate patents as claimed by HTC in a complaint lodged last year.

This is a further knock to HTC, whose shares fell 6% after the ruling.  Over the summer the Taiwanese phone maker was also found to have infringed two iPhone patents in a case brought by Apple at the ITC.  Despite the result, HTC are sticking to their guns.

"This is only one step of many in these legal proceedings. We are confident we have a strong case for the ITC appeals process and are fully prepared to protect our intellectual property," said Grace Lei, HTC's general counsel.

Did you know: Around 80% of European smartphone users have been hit by spam?  Protect yourself, click here for a free mobile security trial!

Intel Join Android in the Smartphone Race

The world's biggest chipmaker in the computer and server market has finally joined the smartphone race!

That’s right, Intel, who has so far played second fiddle to Cambridge-based designer ARM Holdings in the market for low power consumption chips, has teamed up with Android, the world's leading operating system for smartphones.

Google have been pushing their Android operating system, tying up with manufacturers, and with the ever increasing demand for mobile phone and tablet computers it will be interesting to see what comes of this new collaboration. 

The Oak Trail processor range is Intel’s answer to ARM's designs, but has only just seen the light of day.  The hope is that the new partnership will help Intel increase its foothold in the Android market.

Don’t forget, a smartphone can be infected by viruses in the same way as a PC? Make sure that you are protected, find out more, here.

HTC v Apple, The Battle Continues

Rumbling on in a similar fashion to the Fabregas football transfer, is the HTC v’s Apple patent row.  The latest chapter in this saga see’s HTC turning up the heat.

Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC has now filed a lawsuit in the US against Apple, accusing its American rival of infringing its patents.  They are going as far as trying to stop US imports of iPhones, iPads, iPods and Mac computers. 

In July, HTC was found to infringe two iPhone patents in a case brought by Apple at the US International Trade Commission (ITC).  However HTC, which is one of the world's fastest-growing smartphone makers, has vowed to appeal against the ruling, which threatens its business model of designing products around the Android operating system.

It is widely thought that Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility (MMI) may offer a greater degree of protection to Android handset makers.

Have you considered your Smartphone Security yet?

Apple Becomes 'Star Performer'

Apple have overtaken Nokia and Samsung in becoming the biggest Smartphone Vendor worldwide. 

The mobile phone makers shipped 361 million handsets in the second quarter of this year, up 13% on the same period in 2010, according to a new report; Smartphone volumes reached 110 million units.

Nokia continues to be the biggest maker of all types of handsets, but their unexciting touch phone portfolio is weighing down the mobile giant’s market share.  The number two handset maker, Samsung, is certainly breathing down their neck shipping 74 million units and their market share rising to just above 20%.  By comparison, Nokia’s market share dropped to 25%, it’s lowest since 1999.

If you use a smartphone, please consider the fact it requires anti-virus, and anti-spam software just as your PC does.  Bundle that with anti-theft protection, and you have an Adodo Smartphone Solution.

Hackers Hit Italian Soil

Data hacks so far this year have been rife, and it seems that hackers are not tiring, as attention moves towards Italian shores. 

Hackers have started to release the 8Gbs worth of secret files stolen from an Italian cybercrime unit.  The documents were allegedly taken from the network of the Italian CNAIPIC which oversees the country's critical IT infrastructure.  The attack is thought to be in retaliation for arrests of Italian members of Anonymous.

Among the documents taken, there is information about a number of Government offices from Australia and the US.  Preview images also shared by Anonymous reveal the management structure of CNAIPIC, pictures of staff, and a long list of all the documents that have been taken.  CNAIPIC are yet to comment on the matter.

The importance of rigid data security is becoming a pressing issue for all sorts of business, and rightly so.  If you have any questions regarding your data network, contact the experts for a free evaluation.

If you use your smartphone in the same way that you use your laptop or PC, ensure that you have sufficient security on it.  A common misconception is that it comes with the phone.  This is not the case.  Take advantage of our free trial to see what your missing.

HTC Lose Out in Apple Ruling but Will Appeal

On Friday, the US International Trade Commission ruled that Taiwanese mobile phone company HTC, had infringed two Apple Patents.  Apple had claimed that their smartphone rivals had infringed a total of 10 patents.

The response from HTC has been to state that they will appeal; but if the decision is not overturned it could result in the US banning some HTC imports.  Shares in HTC fell 7% this morning as a result, but the result of the appeal could have much wider implications for the industry.  The findings are only preliminary and are subject to review by the full six-member committee in Washington. A final decision is due on 6 December.

The Taiwanese company is not the only firm wrestling with Apple over the rights to technology, with the US firm also in disputes with South Korea's Samsung and US-based Motorola.

Do you have a smartphone?  Do you browse the internet or check your emails on it?  Have you considered your smartphone security?  Find out more! 

Mobile Tracking Raises Legal Questions

As the phone hacking scandal rumbles on and the circle of deception continues to spiral upwards and outwards, serious questions are being raised about the UK's eavesdropping laws.

Sean Hoare, former News of the World journalist, has alleged that the newspaper paid police to track mobile phones and claimed that it was possible to "ping" a handset's location for £300.

There is certainly no firm evidence to support the accusation, but if it were true it would undermine safeguards within the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.  Under which, a handful of officers have the authority to ask mobile networks to determine the location of a phone, based on information from nearby radio masts.  Each request is supposed to be approved by a senior colleague.  These sorts of checks are written into the law to prevent it from being abused.

The system is regulated and audited by the Interception of Communications Commissioner, Sir Paul Kennedy.  Who in his most recent report discovered, found in 10% of cases where law enforcement bodies sought communications information, there was poor compliance with the rules.

Concerns about Mobile Security?  Find out more.

Get to Grips with your Business Mobile Spend

A recent case of mobile phone abuse has cost a borough council thousands of pounds in unnecessary charges, highlighting the need for better mobile technology management and security at every level. 

Business Mobile costs may be seemingly smaller than IT costs, but they are not insignificant, and managing mobile technology contracts is becoming increasingly important, especially when it comes to departing staff. 

A confidential investigation was triggered at Blackburn with Darwen borough council following an audit that concluded the council had been open to "significant abuse" of its £182,000 mobile phone contract.  One member of staff was found to have been racking up a £200 monthly bill on a council-issued mobile phone, despite having left three years earlier.  Ridiculously, that is not where the story ends, with a further 327 phones deemed untraceable and more than 60 staff who had left the council, still in possession of their phones.  In 2010 alone, they racked up £3000 worth of charges. 

 

With the right management, organisations could cut their spending on mobile phones by up to a quarter, our suggestions include:

• Identify and recover the costs of non-business calls
• Reduce the number of mobiles given out to staff
• Consolidate all contracts into one
• Ensure that all hardware is returned to the company when a member of staff leaves or retires
• Use online billing to monitor usage

Fundamental to ongoing mobile management, is suitable security on all handsets particularly with the rising use of smartphones in business.  To avoid expensive reactive costs, there is a need for active investment.  For less than £20 you can now arm a smartphone with anti-spam, anti-virus and anti-theft software.

Adodo’s business mobile solutions incorporate first-class technology management, account management, and security protection as standard.  Ask Adodo today to find out what we can help you with.

84% of Businesses in UK have had Security Breach in last year

In our upcoming June podcast, we highlight the recent press focus surrounding major data security breaches.  The sort of news that has raised questions like; if a 19year old can hack the CIA’s network, what chance do the rest of us have?

It seems concerns are well founded, according to a report sponsored by networking firm Juniper Networks. 1,406 IT and IT security practitioners were surveyed by independent research firm Ponemon Institute.

From which, the research states, a considerable 84 % of businesses in the UK, France and Germany have suffered at least one security breach in the last year.

In addition:

31 % of respondents said that there had been a significant rise in the frequency of cyber attacks in the same period.

76 % added that the attacks themselves had become more severe, or harder to detect and prevent.

The survey also revealed that mobile devices like laptops and smartphones were most at risk.

34 % of respondents said that security breaches occurred as a result of insecure laptops.

29 % said that mobile devices were to blame.

Take advantage of our FREE 30 day trial – and comprehensively protect your smartphone from Spam, Virus and Theft. Call us now 0115 9701471 or click here for more information.

AVG Survey Suggests that we are too Lazy about Smartphone Security

The results of a US based survey have highlighted that most mobile phone users are dangerously lazy when it comes to security. 

The majority of mobile users have no real qualms about making purchases via mobile, and tend to use the same phone in both a personal and business context.  Each of these scenarios is considered amongst the most common vulnerabilities in web security.  Despite this, few of us use phone-locking passwords and duplicate the same passwords for mobile apps that we use on our desktops.

Security firm AVG and research and consulting firm The Ponemon Institute are responsible for the survey;

Approximately, 84% of consumers use the same smartphone for both professional and personal tasks.  This doubles the risk of confidential information being shared should your phone ever be lost or stolen.

Particularly if you are among the 66% of respondents that keep personal and personally identifiable data such as an email addresses, or personal dates on your phone.  Or worse still, if you are amongst the 23% of respondents who said they stored passwords on their phones.

Worryingly, 67% of consumers surveyed said they were concerned about receiving marketing ads and promotions, but just 44% said they were worried about the possibility of a mobile virus attack.

Consider the details your store on your smartphone, especially if you use it for online banking or to make purchases, should you be so relaxed?  Mobile fraud is on the rise, make sure that you are protected.

For less than £20 you can protect your smartphone with an Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam, Anti-Theft all-in-one solution.  More information here.

Vodafone’s Profits are up 10%

The rise in popularity of smartphones is the driving force behind the sharp rise in Vodafone’s full-year profits the company has said.  

Pre-tax profits for the 12 months to the end of March were £9.5bn, up almost 10% on last year’s figures.

Chief executive of the company, Vittorio Colao, said "Customers have adopted data services in increasing numbers, as smartphones proliferate and the tablet market begins to take off".

The group has been slimming down its portfolio, and recently sold stakes in Chinese and Japanese mobile operators, not to mention last months sale of French mobile operator SFR which raised 7.95bn euros.  All proving very sensible moves in a difficult climate.  Vodafone believes that they are entering the new financial year in a very “strong position.” 

Are Apple Tracking You?

Security researchers have claimed that they have found a hidden file on Apple devices that secretly records their owners' movements.  According to the report filed, data has been stored for years in some instances.  

In a website posting, the company responded to these claims, saying that they had never tracked user location and had no plans to do so in future.  In an online question and answer document, Apple went on to say:

"The iPhone is not logging your location. Rather, it's maintaining a database of Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers around your current location, some of which may be located more than one hundred miles away from your iPhone, to help your iPhone rapidly and accurately calculate its location when requested."

Apple has now released a software update that cuts the amount of stored data to just a week, claiming that the issue of long term storage was just a bug.  The update is available through the iTunes store.  To prevent the collection of any data completely, users must disable the location services setting on their iPhone or iPad.

Another reason to read the small print!  Permission for the tracking is given by users, it’s tucked away nicely in the terms and conditions for the iTunes store.