Many questions come to our mind when we hear about smart phone virus. First of all, what are smart phone viruses and their characteristics? How does it infect a smart phone and what damage does it cause the user? How do we cure an infected phone from such virus or is there really a so-called cure for the infection? By initially defining the smart phone and its functionalities, we can all be enlightened about the virus.

What is a Smart Phone?

A smart phone is an evolution from an ordinary mobile phone that only used to just make and receive calls to its current status of possessing several advanced functions. Aside from sending SMS or short messaging service, a smart phone can now send MMS or Multimedia Messaging Service. MMS is much more interactive with full of heavy graphics, clear videos, cool music, and high quality pictures as attachments. A smart phone can now send and receive pictures, videos, and mp3 music through its Bluetooth wireless network function. It can also send and receive emails from an existing email account to any location with its own internet browser. With these capabilities, this feature is now comparable to laptops and notebooks. Moreover, it can now access office servers enabling the user to work from virtually any place with its own operating system coupled by the wireless fidelity function of each handset.

What is a Smart Phone Virus?

A smart phone virus is software developed by programmers. It infects mobile phones, camouflaging itself as a legitimate application file from the carrier to the unsuspecting users. The virus systematically infiltrates the phone's memory after installing the bogus application. It then goes to the contact list thereby making the still unknowing user to becoming the carrier when sending text messages or sending files through Bluetooth and through opening and forwarding unauthorized emails. While this is happening, the virus will slowly but surely destroy the system making the phone to be not functioning in the long run. Consequently, this have the user spend a lot for repairs.

How the Virus Spreads?

Viruses spread through mobile phones in several ways. One is through Bluetooth wireless network wherein an uninfected phone receives the virus by means of file sharing. The virus is hidden or imbedded in the shared file like videos, pictures, and mp3 as an application in disguise. It will then immediately prompt an installation dialog which the user will unknowingly manipulate before he or she realizes that it's the virus that's installed. The virus now starts to infect the system which will subsequently damage the handset if not addressed immediately.

Another way how smart phone viruses spread is through text messages and MMS, wherein the virus will imbed itself in a reply message from the infected phone to the message from another who is not yet infected. The virus can automatically attached itself when sending messages after it locates the next phone to be infected. It can also spread through the wireless fidelity feature of the mobile phones. This happens by checking unauthorized emails and by going to websites that contain such viruses.

Solutions

There are available solutions to avoid smart phones being infected. The first step is to always be alert about unsolicited messages from unknown senders. These messages have the probability of containing such virus that will contaminate the smart phone. It helps to set the Bluetooth to undiscovered mode, or yet turn it off if not in use. This prevent virus being sent to you through that avenue. Another is to buy a mobile phone with anti-virus software installed to it. This will prevent infestation of virus and at the same time make you more secure. If in case your phone has been already infected, be sure to have it reformatted by an authorized technician. Following these steps will insure of the smooth running of your smart phone.