Nokia has recently issued a Nokia Threat Intelligence Report that shows an increase of phone infections taking place between January and June this year. The examination is conducted twice a year, and reveals statics that indicate the performance of malware infections in devices connected through mobile and fixed networks.

 

The report indicated that smartphone infections have exceedingly doubled during the first half of the year, and are posing even more of a risk as compared to results of the examination conducted in the latter semester of 2015. Smartphones are major carriers and probable cause of the increase; accounting for up to 78% of mobile network infections.

 

April saw the highest rates of malware infections, with contagions seen in one out of every 120 mobile devices tracked. Most of these devices used an Android operating system, which represented 74% of all mobile malware infections.

 

While some malware can easily be removed by an anti-virus or software updates, the rise of infected technology raises awareness of more complex and sophisticated malware that can be harder to notice or remove.

 

Kevin McNamee, head of the Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab, said: “Today attackers are targeting a broader range of applications and platforms, including popular mobile games and new IoT devices, and developing more sophisticated and destructive forms of malware. Nokia’s network-based security solution is the best approach to address this growing threat to all types of devices. It detects and prevents malware activity that device-based solutions may miss.”

 

The three biggest mobile threats are Uapush. A, Kasandra. B, and SMS Tracker; which are responsible for 47% of all infections confirmed by the report. Several mobile games as well as downloadable mobile applications were also seen as major causes of infections.