Mobile malware increases by 273 per cent

The amount of malware targeting mobile devices has increased by 273 per cent since this time last year, according to a new report from security software firm G Data.

The research found that cross-platform trojans – malware that is able to infect multiple operating systems – are currently the most prevalent form of malicious software.

Many of these viruses are designed to enable spamming, or to send premium rate text messages without the device owner's consent. G Data believes that the increasing use of such malware shows that cyber criminal business is booming.

"With mobile malware, cyber criminals have discovered a new business model," said Eddy Willems, security evangelist at G Data.

"At the moment, the perpetrators mainly use backdoors, spy programs and expensive SMS services to harm their victims. We currently see an enormous risk potential for mobile devices and their users."

Willems added that the trend is set to continue. "We are expecting another spurt of growth in the mobile malware sector in the second half of the year."

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