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Majority of Mobile Malware Now Reliant On Toll Fraud
CowboyRobot writes "Spyware is no longer the primary concern with unwanted software on mobile devices. According to mobile security firm Lookout, most mobile malware performs 'toll fraud' — billing victims using premium SMS services. The problem is very geographically-dependent, worst in areas with weak SMS regulation, particularly China, Ukraine, and Russia, where users are 10,000 times more likely to have malware on their phones than users in Japan, for example. Other risks include mobile ads surreptitiously uploading personal data, as well as apps that download other malware without users knowing. The full report is available."
Seriously, why do we even need a system which lets people charge arbitrary ammounts via SMS? It's insecure, ripe for abuse and open to fraud. I don't think I have ever seen it used for a beneficial purpose, except perhaps for charity donations which could just as easily be done via another system.
So, why not just shut the thing down? Or, heck just limit it to registered charities; it's not like anyone else uses it but those who prey on the weak (rip off custom ringtone companies, horoscope peddlers and malware)
Dumb yank. Socialist != communist.
It would be reasonable to expect a means by which the consumer could opt out of premium SMS services (all of them) similar to having call blocks for long distance, 900 calls, etc. on your home phone. Even better, the default would off, and you would have to UNBLOCK the ability by contacting your telco. Alas, this would never be provided voluntarily by a telco without regulation...