Mike Temporale
09-07-2007, 06:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS4876519484.html' target='_blank'>http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS4876519484.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"McAfee's Avert Labs has released a whitepaper discussing ways hackers might attack Windows Mobile-based smartphones. Author Zhu Cheng says there is no significant risk today, "but we're in the early stages of what is likely to become a longstanding trend," attributed partly to Microsoft's release of Windows CE kernel source. Pointing out that carrying a smartphone is basically like having a computer in your pocket, Cheng claims Windows Mobile is vulnerable to attack. "Windows CE's open-source kernel policy allows virus writers to get a deep understanding of the operating system," he writes"</em></p><p>The key thing to remember out of all this is that the paper was done by a Anti-Virus company that has a lot to gain by making you scared about security on your device. The author even recommends anti-virus and anti-malware to help keep you safe. I'm not about to say that Windows Mobile is a vault and nothing will ever get in or out. But to me, this seems like a lot of FUD. To date there has been a lot of attention placed on Symbian and even Apple when it comes to mobile security, or the lack there of. So I find it odd that the author comments about attacks on Windows Mobile becoming a "longstanding trend". I understand the need to forecast, but from 0 attacks thus far to a longstanding trend in the not too distant future? I don't know about that. Anyway, if you fancy a read, you can find the full PDF <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/white_paper.html">here</a>.</p>