Mobile devices are warned of various threats from free apps. – Photo Highlighpress.com

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Trend Micro, the US-based provider of antivirus for cloud computing and internet content security, has said that since late last year two million threats were found targeting smart phones through free applications and games.

Terrence Tang, the company's Asia-Pacific senior director for individual security, told a forum titled "Smartphone story: Strong or Safe?" in HCM City on Tuesday: "Smart phones have entered all aspects of life. Therefore, security for smart phones [is vital] to protect users' privacy."

In 1993 there were 100 million PCs, but by 2020 there will be 10 billion mobile connected devices around the world.

Tang warned: "Mobile games are the fastest-growing segment of the market, with revenues set to nearly double between 2013 and 2015 from US$13.2 billion to $22 billion. And this is the best environment for viruses to enter smart phones, especially through free downloads on the internet."

He also pointed out that in the past most viruses were from hardware but now 80 per cent of them spread through the internet.

According to figures from Germany-based marketing and market research company GFK, smart phones make up 49 per cent of 51 million mobile phones in Viet Nam now.

The forum was organised by Vietnamese smart phone manufacturer Mobiistar.

On the occasion, Mobiistar launched its first phablet, Prime 558, which is produced in co-operation with Trend Micro and costs VND5.5 million. — VNS