Security is a top concern for mobile device manufacturers
seeking to develop new products and services, according to an
industry survey.
Some 70% of mobile device makers surveyed by security firm
McAfee said addressing
mobile security is critical.
Device-integrated security is the most effective and efficient
way to protect mobile users from threats, according to 69% of those
surveyed.
Most believe that the cost improving mobile security should be
borne by service providers (44%) or manufacturers (31%) instead of
end-users.
More than 40% reported that they had experienced problems across
the complete range of the most common mobile security threats.
Mobile payment security is the biggest concern (81%), followed
by the safety of installing applications (69%) and using Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth connections (66%).
Voice or text spam attacks have hit the greatest number of
devices, with 17% reporting incidents that affected more than a
million devices in 2008.
More than a third (36%) said security incidents had caused a
significant loss in credibility or user satisfaction.
Increased security threats have led to growing concerns about
the development of new device functionality and services, said the
2009 McAfee mobile security report.
"It is encouraging to see that mobile manufacturers are looking
to regain control of providing security functionality," said Victor
Kouznetsov, vice-president of mobile security at McAfee.