Should You Worry About Smartphone Malware?

ZDNet columnist Steven Shankland, posted this interesting article, basically arguing that "modern mobile  devices don't suffer the same vulnerabilities as PC's and those selling antivirus software for [mobile devices] shouldn't be trusted."

The basis of Shankland's arguments come from a statement by Chris DiBona, Google's open-source programs manager, who stated:

Virus companies are playing on your fears to try to sell you BS protection software for Android, RIM, and, iOS. They are charlatans and scammers. If you work for a company selling virus protection for Android, RIM or iOS, you should be ashamed of yourself.

DiBona states that the security restrictions in place on mobile devices inherently limit their vulnerabilities. For example, Android applications must necessarily tell the operating kernel what processes and systems to access, and will only be allowed to access those "approved" systems.

While that might be true, and I'm certainly not going to argue with Google's programming genius, I'm likely hesitant to fully "throw willy at nilly." Of course, antivirus software companies all discredit DiBona's statements, suggesting that the new reports of increased malware on Android OS applications is evidence of the mounting problems.

In all, I'm not so sure that protection isn't important. First, we know how easy it is for people to steal information, especially private information. We also know how deadly programs can be. Anymore, our problem isn't simply the fact that the virus or malware will shut down our systems. The problem is that the virus or malware will deliver personal information to unknown parts of the world for nefarious uses.

In my case, I don't pay for malware or virus protection on my phone or tablet. Maybe that's what DiBona means. There are plenty of free apps that will scan for bad actors and eliminate threats, so why pay tens or hundreds of dollars for that protection. I like AVG Antivirus or Lookout, although I'm sure all of them are the same, so don't take my suggestions as some sort of "must have" endorsement. A quick search of the Android Market will turn up hundreds of other apps.

I think it's an unwise and unethical practice for lawyers to not run virus software on your smartphone. I also think it's very unwise and probably an ethical violation to not check the permissions of the Android apps you're installing, before you install them. Note: it's probably also unwise, and maybe unethical, to download and install that "bouncing boobs" app from Thailand, but that's another story.