Protective action

There are a number of things mobile device users can do to ward off viruses :

•  Beware of questionable downloads: When downloading a ringtone, game or business application for your device, make sure it comes from a trusted source. Nokia is working with Symbian to clarify the prompts given when a file is downloaded and installed to help users truly understand what they're doing.

•  Get protection: For the truly paranoid, traditional PC anti-virus vendors are beginning to offer products for mobile devices. Symantec offers AntiVirus for Handhelds, McAfee sells VirusScan PDA, and F-Secure sells Mobile Anti-Virus to individuals and as a service via carriers. T-Mobile Germany and a Finnish operator resell the F-Secure system.

•  Back it up: Red Bend Software is developing Firmware Over The Air technology that can be deployed in a wireless service provider's network and used to push updates to phones as new vulnerabilities are found. Many providers offer back-up technology for the phone, storing data centrally in case a device is compromised, lost or failed. FusionOne sells its back-up and self-destruct software to the service providers, which in turn offer it to customers as a premium service. Verizon Wireless uses the FusionOne technology for its Backup Assistant offering.

Back to feature: "Is your cell phone at risk?"