Cellphone viruses are little more than a nuisance today, but given our exploding unprecedented reliance on wireless communication, in the years to come,they could pose bigger threat than their PC based counterparts. Since 2005, creators of phone viruses have devised hybrids which spread through both Bluetooth and MMS connections. Are smartphones immune to the same virus risk seen with desktop and laptop computers? Do you need antivirus software for your phone in order to be completely protected? These are the questions we will explore below as we take a look at both the virus risk and potential software solutions for a number of different smartphones.

What we didn’t know

The majority of computer users understand how potentially harmful a computer virus can be. In fact, most of us try to protect our laptops and desktop computers with antivirus and Internet security software of some kind. But what about smartphones which access the web—are they just as vulnerable as computers? The answer to that question is rather complicated, but the shortened version is a resounding “yes.” Any device possessing the capability of accessing the internet, including smartphones, runs the risk of virus infection.

In earlier models of mobile phones—those unable to download apps—the threat of a smartphone virus was very negligible because it would be difficult for that virus to spread. Since 2004, however, when users of Symbian were attacked with the Cabir worm, there has been a rise in the number of viruses reported and the trend seems only to be growing.

Smartphones are equipped much like a computer, only smaller, and can do roughly all the same tasks you perform with your laptop or desktop, such as surfing the web, checking email, shopping and even banking. This increase in activity, however, has made smartphones a target for those who create viruses and malware.

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