Spam Goes More and More Mobile

March 23rd, 2008 by Roderick Ordoñez (Technical Communications)

Spam continues to come to a cellphone near you, Trend Micro analysts confirm. Unlike spam received through the email inbox on computers, “text message” spam are actually more costly to the user, as users are charged for any spam they receive. “For some people, if it’s in your plan — unlimited — you’re free. If it’s pay as you go, that’s going to be pretty expensive” explains Threat Research Analyst Jamz Yaneza, who has been monitoring this latest development in spam delivery.

Spam has been constantly pestering users since email was invented, and has been usually confined to email systems functional within a PC. Recent advances in anti-spam technology may have prompted spammers to look into other means to deliver their message, and with mobile capabilities becoming more PC-like, spamming through cell phones is set to increase, particularly in North America.

Already, users receive billions of unsolicited text messages. NBC11 cites 1 billion text messages spammed in the past year. The Register has also pointed out that users in China and Southeast Asia suffer the most, “partly due to low costs in sending and receiving text messages.” Mobile spam has been a fact of mobile phone usage in Asia for years now.

The implications of this kind of spam are far graver, but there are actions the user may take in case of its occurrence. For one, users may inform their carrier. Text message spam is illegal and most carriers will credit the affected account should a refund be requested.

Users may also download software (such as Trend Micro Mobile Security) to address these concerns. Note however that spam is most likely to evolve as technology advances, so keeping one’s software up to date is important to ensure protection.

Watch Jamz give his take on the issue in this NBC news clip.

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