Before the inception of high tech and sophisticated smart phones such as Android based mobile devices and iPhone, Windows Mobile was very popular among corporate and domestic users.
Windows mobiles are still common and capture a 14% market share. The major problem with windows mobile devices is security.
Windows mobile phones were introduced almost a decade ago, and the operating system infrastructure of windows mobile is not secure enough to withstand the emerging and dynamic threats that every mobile device faces today.
Few years ago mobile viruses were not a chronic threat, the first virus targeting mobile devices only asked for permission to spread itself but with more and more people using mobile devices for different business purposes and communications they became an attractive target.
Windows mobile security are more vulnerable to viruses because their operating system resembles the windows operating system being used in majority of computers and laptops. It means a virus that can damage your files or data on your computer and laptop can also harm the same data present in your windows mobile.
People using windows mobile use it for communication including sms and call, they can browse the internet and can download attachments and view their emails. All these channels can be used to transmit viruses. A person viewing emails using windows mobile can get his mobile infected by a virus hidden in email attachment. Windows mobiles can also be attacked by a virus incorporated inside a sms.
Windows mobiles can also be targeted using websites containing malicious codes. Leading security experts and organizations like Kaspersky Labs, McAfee, Symmantic and F-Secure have expressed their concerns regarding windows mobile security and have predicted that these attacks would increase in future keeping in view the increased use of mobile devices.
After understanding the threats a widows mobile users faces, now let us move on to the next level , that is, how can we secure our windows mobile and what steps we must take to protect it from the known and unknown viruses.
It is interesting to know that majority of users using windows operating system on their laptops and computers use an antivirus for the safety of their device, but there are very few who use an antivirus software for their windows mobile device.
Using an antivirus software not only guarantees the protection of your windows mobile device, it is the first line of defense against the viruses that are always looking for a channel to corrupt your device, steal personal information and damage your data.
So the first thing a windows mobile user must do is to find secure and quality antivirus software and deploy it on the device.
Some of the leading antivirus software for windows mobile are (Check out our antivirus reviews):
•Kaspersky Mobile Security
•ESET Mobile antivirus
•BullGuard Mobile antivirus
•McAfee Mobile Security
•Norton Smartphone Security
•Trend Micro Mobile Security
If you are planning to purchase a windows mobile device, always make sure that its operating system version supports latest antivirus solutions. Always keep your windows mobile operating system up to date with latest patches and updates that are released.
You should also make sure that the antivirus software that you deployed on your windows mobile device is updated and contains the latest virus definitions. The antivirus software must provide real time security and should have the ability to scan attachments.
Your windows mobile must be equipped with an intrusion detection system and anti spyware. Some top quality antivirus software have these additional qualities so it’s a good choice to go for a good antivirus and get these advance features as a bonus.
Apart from these technical tips to make your windows mobile secure, there are some other methods that ensure the safety of your windows mobile.
These are listed below:
1.Never leave your windows mobile alone, always keep it with you or keep an eye on it
2.Always use auto lock feature and apply a password on your phone lock. By doing so your mobile would become safe from unauthorized users.
3.Try to avoid using auto complete features in your windows mobile that remember email address and passwords.
4.Update your windows mobile frequently
5.Data protection is critical for everyone, always use good quality encryption software to make your portable data safe and secure on your windows mobile.
6.Use digital certificates for your windows mobile
7.Keep a back up of your data present in windows mobile and frequently update it
8.Take suitable measures to avoid theft of your windows mobile device.
9.Always try to use VPN (Virtual Private Network) and go for secure wireless connections if you want to connect your windows mobile to a network or internet
10.Use HTTPS to secure your emails and try to encrypt any confidential information being transmitted.
11.Turn off the wi-fi (how to secure wi-fi?) and Bluetooth of your windows mobile when not in use.
12.Make sure that the firewall of your windows mobile is activated
13.While connecting your windows mobile to another network, make your folders private
14.When using your windows mobile on a wifi hotspot, disable file and printer sharing, the same must be done when connecting to an unsecured network.
15.Do not use your windows mobile device to permanently store highly confidential information or data.