How To Protect Your Cellphone From Viruses

Mobile viruses can cause trouble as well as financial losses, so here are a few tips for you to stay
on the safe side of things. So, what exactly do mobile viruses do, you ask? well, they send infected MMS messages to every phone number in your address list. Since sending MMS messages is not free, you're actually paying money to send a viruses to your friends, family members and business associates.

The virus can tamper or delete all the contact details and calendar entries in the phone; delete or lock up certain phone applications or crash; show up as games, pornographic material or free download; a text messages camouflaged with a stolen the subject line from a friends message, etc. In all these transfer methods, the user install it knowingly or otherwise. But clever virus open and install the bug by disguising it as a desirable application.


The 5 basic rules of protecting your cellphone from viruses are:

1. Never install any application you do not know.
2. Enable Bluetooth only when you need it.
3. Cancel your Bluetooth to accept files that your are not expecting and/or familiar with.
4. NEVER accept an unknown file, what so ever!
5. Avoid downloading unscanned material from sharing networks.

Further more, lets dive into some more technical details.

* Secure your network: security companies weren't very well-equipped when the first mobile threats streamed in, but most of the industry leaders have since issued mobile versions of their flagship antivirus products, such as Norton (Norton Smartphone Security for Pocket PC.)

* Block out thieves: mobile devices are small, therefore easier to steal. Pickpockets can get at your data with old-fashioned theft and tinkering. Passwords, contact information, and your handhelds Internet history could conceivably lead a tenacious thief to your personal accounts. Though odds are thankfully low, you'll want to keep out the boldest snoops.

* Protect your data: password managers and data encryption are your new best friends in mobile wireless security. Encryption apps like Ilium Softwares eWallet Professional for Windows Mobile, Smartphone, and Palm uses 256-bit RC4 encryption to keep your personal files personal. Similar lockbox programs require a password each time you access information including credit card, bank account, and car details. Crypt Magic performs a similar service for BlackBerry owners.