by Dennis Fisher

 

It’s difficult to remember now–and seems quaint even if you can recall it–but there was a time in the not-so-distant past when industry analysts and security experts were worried about the coming mobile malware apocalypse. Self-replicating malware would soon be flooding our phones, deleting our coveted ringtones and preventing us all from playing Snake.

Mobile phones were considered the next great computing platform, and it was only natural to think that attackers would follow users’ lead and move their wares their, as well. As it turns out, smartphones have indeed become a major part of the computing landscape, with many users doing much, if not all, of their online activities on their phones. And attackers wasted no time in taking advantage of that shift, preying on the mobile app model and the coming wave of mobile payments.

However, what never materialized is the kind of mobile malware that had experts so worried a decade ago. It’s been 10 years now since the first native mobile virus, Cabir, appeared on the scene, and it was that worm that helped spread the fear of widespread smartphone viruses. Cabir was discovered in June 2004, and much of what followed was slightly weird and off-kilter.

 

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2004 is ONLY 10 years ago, it makes you realise just how fast things have progressed.