Speaking at IDC conference held in Riyadh last week, Denis Maslennikov, Mobile Research Group Manager, the delegate of Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions, presented the proliferation of malicious software and spamware among smartphones and other mobile devices as a growing concern in KSA.
Since 2006, the adoption of mobile technology accelerated dramatically in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making it the second biggest market in the Middle East; representing approximately 15% of total connections in the region. Therefore, mobile malware and riskware have become a convenient way to earn money, consequently increasing mobile viruses by 220% since August 2006.
Commenting on this raise in viruses, Denis Maslennikov said: “It is only natural for cybercriminals to capitalize on the dramatic growth mobile phone penetration rate. Therefore, it is imperative that GSM providers address the growing security threats to mobile user.”
According to a recent report from the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), mobile penetration in KSA is expected to jump from 48 per cent to 130 per cent in the next five years; the dramatic growth in the number of mobile phone users likewise substantially increases the number of potential victims of harmful programs.