Antivirus for smartphones

The first ever known cell phone virus called Cabir, first appeared in the year 2004. During the first few years, Cabir infected only a small number of Bluetooth enabled phones. Though the virus spread to some extent, it was found that it wasn't able to do much damage. However, recent cell phone viruses are now more complex and thus, are more capable of doing more damage to mobile phones. Phone viruses are now as devastative as computer viruses.

The way a cell phone virus works is basically the same as a computer virus. A computer virus, such as worms, can work its way through a computer through email attachments and internet downloads. The same with a cell phone; retrieving unsecure and unknown email attachments and MMS attachments, Bluetooth transfers and downloading applications from a distrusted website, may become gateways for viruses. The easiest way a phone can get infected is when a cell phone receives and opens infected files. Transferring and exchanging of files are the most common ways on how a cell phone can get infected. These are usually done by connecting the phone to a PC, however, as the Bluetooth application is now being widely used, viruses can now be transferred through phone to phone connections.

You know how smart phones have advantageously changed your life and how they managed to make your life a lot easier. Imagine the hassle if your smart phone suddenly went blank on you just because of a virus that hacked its way through your phone's operating system. Some viruses can do irreparable damage to your phone, they delete important files and harm your operating system causing applications to not run properly. These viruses come in the form of downloaded games, security patches, add on functionalities and most commonly these viruses go with pornography and free ads. The first known cell phone virus, Cabir, is entirely innocuous and discreet. Once downloaded, it just sits on the phone then rapidly spreads, causing damage to the cell phone. Such viruses could mess up your daily schedule, thus, the need for an antivirus software specifically created for cell phones.

What are the consequences of the virus attacks on the cell phones?

A virus may access or delete all your contact information and calendar entries in your phone. It might send infected MMS messages to each and every contact in your phone book. Sometimes, it may also make unknowing calls to anyone in your contact list, creating huge amount of phone bills into your account. In some cases, it might delete or lock up certain phone applications or crash your phone completely.

Just like how you protect your computer from viruses, the best way to get protected from mobile phone viruses is to install an antivirus software. If you install the best antivirus software in your smart phone you are protected not only from Cabir but also from all types of cell phone viruses.

Here are some instructions you need to follow while using your smart phone in order to avoid the virus attacks:

· Never open any unknown or suspicious attachments or files.

· Always turn off your Bluetooth application and set your phone "hidden" from others so that others cannot detect your phone and send viruses to it.

· Always check the updates to learn about the filenames and always take note of them.

· Install some kind of security software in the form of an antivirus on your phone.

· Install some of the security sites that can send you e-mail updates and new virus information as it gets posted.