Mobile phone security

Attacks on Bluetooth-enabled devices can take place within a distance of 10 metres or more. Stay safe by installing firewalls and Kaspersky mobile phone antivirus software.

As many as three-quarters of mobile phone users are not aware of the internet security risks linked to Bluetooth-equipped devices. These risks come in four main guises:

• Bluejacking is when anonymous text messages are sent to mobile phones
• Bluespamming is when a phone’s contacts are secretly sent text messages
• Bluesnarfing is when hackers gain access to a mobile phone’s contacts
• Bluebugging is when hackers have access to a handset’s commands

While each of these risks is a nuisance, bluesnarfing and bluebugging are particularly serious. With bluesnarfing, hackers can gain access to stored data, such as a phonebook, calendar or to clone a phone.

Bluebugging, on the other hand allows hackers to make phone calls from the mobile phone they control. They can write messages and send them from the phone and they can even eavesdrop on private conversations.

Mobile antivirus software

As with any mobile device, there are important precautions you can take to protect yourself against Bluetooth security breaches on a mobile phone:

• Always disable Bluetooth functionality on your phone when it’s not in use
• Protect your phone with mobile antivirus software

By simply turning off Bluetooth, hackers are unable to mount your handset’s commands or access the information on your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone.

Free mobile antivirus software

Not sure which mobile software is right for you? If you want to try before you buy, you can trial Kaspersky Mobile Security for free for 30 days.