Smartphones are becoming a new vector for hacker attacks. Researches have discovered a strain of malicious software targeting Google’s popular Android operating system. The malicious coed logs detail about incoming and outgoing calls, and even records conversations. This threat was discovered just a month after a security hole was discovered in Apple’s iPhones.
Security experts say that attacks on smart phones are growing fast. Almost 38% of American adults now have smart phones according to Nielsen data. With this number increasing every month, smart phones are becoming a popular way for hackers to steal information. Smartphones have become our Rolodexes, photo albums, and wallets, and open up many angles for financial attacks.
Windows Phone 7 Could Challenge Android
A study by Pyramid Research said that Windows Phone 7 smartphones could surpass Android smartphones by 2013. Currently Windows Phone 7 is in a distant fifth place in the smartphone operating system battle, but they are growing fast.
One of the reasons for their fast growth is lower prices. AT&T slashed the price of the LQ Quantum and Samsung focus to just $49.99 since initially debuting at $199. Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype fits perfectly into their plan to become more competitive in the mobile market.
Apple Beats Out Nokia for Top Smart Phone Manufacturer
For the first time in 15 years Nokia is not the top cell phone manufacturer in the country. Apple beat all records with 20.3 million units sold in the quarter. Experts estimate that Samsung sold 19 million smartphones and Nokia came in third with 16.7.
Just four years after the release of the iPhone, Apple has become the world’s largest smart phone vendor by volume with a 18% market share. Apple shouldn’t get too comfortable in its number one position, Nokia is transitioning to the Windows Phone OS that may help it regain some of its lost market share.
