Mobile Phones Vulnerable to Viruses in Stadiums

The sheer concentration of mobile phones in stadiums and at public viewing places could lead to a massive spread in phone viruses, warned German computer magazine, c't. Mobile phone users with Bluetooth functions are particularly susceptible, the magazine said.

Number of viruses growing

"For example, if a message pops up on your phone reading 'Install: Free-World-Cup-After-Party-Ticket?' we can assume that lots of people will just press OK, and land themselves with a virus," said c't editor Jürgen Schmidt. The magazine advises fans to deactivate their Bluetooth wireless functions in the stadium. Rules of basic common sense also apply -- don't confirm any unexpected messages or queries; don't run any programs or download any software or games from online swap sites.

A mobile phone virus successfully spread at the Athletics World Championships in Helsinki last year due to the concentration of phones. The Bluetooth interface allows a rapid exchange of data between nearby phones, facilitating the quick spread of viruses in large crowds.

According to c't, the number of mobile phone viruses increased drastically last year to around 200. Some viruses can lead to expensive phone bills as they automatically send SMS or MMS messages.

Protective software lacking

Some viruses such as "Skulls" or "Doombot" render expensive handsets unusable, as they overwrite the system's data. Owners of particularly advanced phones, such as Smartphones with many interfaces and computer functions, should be especially alert. Most of the known viruses are conceived for phones with the widely-used Symbian operating system. After testing special anti-virus software for mobiles, the editors at c't concluded that the software only offers partial protection from attacks.