2011 May See Rise in Smartphone and Mac Attacks

In 2011, the malware scene may see some new trends that turn previously safe platforms into targets. McAfee claims in a new report that 2011 may be the year in which smartphones, Macs and location-based services become common targets for malicious software and hackers. URL-shortening services and social networks like Facebook will continue to be rife with attacks, but -- thanks to the explosive growth of smartphone platforms like Android and iOS, as well as Apple's ever-increasing market share -- makers of malware may start to look elsewhere.

McAfee is particularly worried about the threat posed by location-based services, which could allow cyber-crooks to pinpoint a user's exact location. It's just one more piece of sensitive data that those with nefarious motives can now harvest with just a few clicks of a mouse. While it's possible for crooks to use a service like Foursquare to find out when you're not at home (and to ransack your belongings), the bigger concern is how location data could give criminals new avenues of attack. McAfee also expects that politically motivated attacks will rise, thanks in part to sites inspired by WikiLeaks and groups like Anonymous.

2011 May See Rise in Smartphone and Mac Attacks originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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