BlackBerry Forums Support Community

dave_webster1 · 02-18-2007, 04:18 AM

I have been advising folks on PC Internet Security mobile access is the norm I am being asked frequently about protection of mobiles particularly on the new 8100. Any body got any good suggestions. Webster4us.com

rkkeller · 02-18-2007, 07:39 AM

Didnt you start this same thread on another group ?

mysmyrrh · 02-18-2007, 07:50 AM

It would be nice if this post was actually legible. Hard to understand what the heck he's asking/saying.

LunkHead · 02-18-2007, 08:22 AM

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8700g: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8100/4.2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Anti-virus for a BB? Are you joking?

NJBlackBerry · 02-18-2007, 08:27 AM

Periodically I promise to write an Anti Virus AND anti spyware (combination - new features update constantly) for the BlackBerry. Doesn't do anything - you can't even tell it is there.

Since there are no viruses for a BB, how yould you know!

mysmyrrh · 02-18-2007, 08:50 AM

Isn't it a possibility that there ARE virus' that can attack mobile browsers, regardless of manufacture? I've been having some serious probs with my Pearl that an OS reload and/or reboot didn't do a thing for. The new Pearl replacement is sitting on the table, waiting to be loaded up. However, I've decided not to reload any of my addy book info or browser bookmarks thru a restore. Instead, I'm going to start from scratch, as if it was my very first Pearl. If there indeed is some type of virus in my BB, using the DM to reload certain info would also reload a virus that might be in there. I don't find it so far-fetched to believe that there could be a bb virus. It's just the sort of thing some hacker would love to claim credit for. Imagine bringing down an entire world's worth of BB's? It could happen. I see links all the time that say "click here for games for your BlackBerry", or any other sort of app you can name. What a perfect viral delivery system. Maybe you ought to write that program?

NJBlackBerry · 02-18-2007, 08:53 AM

RIM keeps the APIs proprietary.
Frankly, about the last thing I am worried about is a virus on my BlackBerry.

You don't have a virus.

mysmyrrh · 02-18-2007, 09:08 AM

I don't think I have a virus either. Not really. I think I just have a defective device. But reloading thru DM might put some of that defective whatever back into the new one, so I'm starting from scratch. But- since when did proprietary become synonymous with safe from attack by outside sources? It could happen, and to say it wouldn't is a bit, well, naïve. Industrial sabotage happens.

NJBlackBerry · 02-18-2007, 09:12 AM

Anything is possible. All I said was I am not worried about a virus on my BlackBerry. Bad code? Yes. Defective hardware? Yes.

But I am not worried about a virus on my BlackBerry.

Berry One · 02-18-2007, 09:30 AM

It is possible to write a virus or a worm for blackberry.

Blackberry is just a compact computing device, it has documented APIs, it allows third party developers write applications for it, it has Internet access, it can send and receive emails.
Worm or virus needs nothing more to propagate.

d_fisher · 02-18-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berry One

It is possible to write a virus or a worm for blackberry.

I have not doubt that there will eventually be virus written for the BlackBerry. At the moment that is only one known trojan (not a virus). From my knowledge, this trojan is a proof of concept and none have been seen in the wild.

This trojan doesn't even hurt the BlackBerry handheld. It takes advantage of the handhelds secure connection to the BES server to give access to your intranet. If your not connected to a BES server your at no risk.

Did I mention that the user has to knowingly install the trojan? No automatic behind the scenes install on the BlackBerry. The security workaround is to apply an IT policy to restrict the install of third party installs on the handhelds.

At the moment, buying anti-virus software for the BlackBerry is a waste of money. There is a reason why the larger and more respected anti-virus companies are not making a client for the BlackBerry. Save you money until there is a reason to purchase anti-virus software for the BlackBerry. When the time comes I sure it will be a HUGE discussion about it here at BBF.com.

jfisher · 02-18-2007, 12:35 PM

the antivirus applications for mobiles are there to make money - and that's it.

Worm · 02-18-2007, 12:53 PM

Not entirely jfisher, an uneducated user with a Symbian series 60 v2 device is probably better off with one ;)

It isn't that far off when we will all need one, as more handsets support MIDP it's relatively easy to screw this on any device (or best worse case, mess with any functionality it can directly attach to).

cheers

mysmyrrh · 02-18-2007, 02:06 PM

Anyone who pooh pooh's the notion of virus software for mobiles is asking for trouble. Blackberry, Treo, Palm, and any other similar device functions as a wireless computer. I do more computer activities on my Pearl than I do on my PC. All it needs is flash capability and a printer, and it'd be all good! I fully expect to hear about a full-blown virus effecting MIDP phones within the next year or so. I have total faith in my fellow man that one of them will be unable to pass up the chance of bringing down something as powerful as a nation of BlackBerry users. And those bb's on a BES? I doubt they'll be exempt. As a matter of fact, I'd wager those would be the ones targetted.

greggebhardt · 02-18-2007, 02:15 PM

There is nothing that would make me wished I had sold my Blackberry stock more than a BB Virus or someone breaking into the RIM network. Not concerned and I will hold onto it for the new few equipment introductions and then sell.

mysmyrrh · 02-18-2007, 02:37 PM

Huh? Not very clear on what you're trying to say.

NJBlackBerry · 02-18-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggebhardt

There is nothing that would make me wished I had sold my Blackberry stock more than a BB Virus or someone breaking into the RIM network. Not concerned and I will hold onto it for the new few equipment introductions and then sell.

Wow. One of the silliest postings that I have EVER read here.

jfisher · 02-18-2007, 02:42 PM

LunkHead · 02-18-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berry One

It is possible to write a virus or a worm for blackberry.

Blackberry is just a compact computing device, it has documented APIs, it allows third party developers write applications for it, it has Internet access, it can send and receive emails.
Worm or virus needs nothing more to propagate.

See d_fishers excellent response..... Millions and I mean millions of BB's out and not a single documented virus.... We all could be driving (I mean flying) hovercraft in 10-years as well......

Berry One · 02-18-2007, 04:44 PM

Not an insult, but his response is naive. There will be no viruses because there are no viruses yet? Hello!

What had happened with 'blackberries do not get spammed?' Well, they get spammed now.

Keep saying 'there are no viruses for blackberries' until you get one.