Mobile adverts have overtaken pornography as the biggest threat to phone security, according to new research.
Malware delivered through adverts, known as malvertising, leaves mobile users vulnerable to security breaches and has now overtaken pornography as the biggest threat to phone security.
During February 2014 one in every five times a mobile internet user is directed to malware, it was through web adverts - three times the rate of November 2012.
Malware can harvest user data, copy and store passwords and credit card information, and infect devices with viruses.
Blue Coat Security Labs found that pornography has fallen to the third largest security threat behind "suspicious" material, but remains the most dangerous area as it accounts for more than 16 per cent of all security attacks, when requests for porn via mobile devices doesn't reach even one per cent of available content.
The malware threats targeting mobile devices are largely confined to potentially unwanted applications and premium SMS scams.
Potentially unwanted applications, or PUAs, are simply apps, usually disguised as something interesting like the hottest mobile game, that engage in tracking user behaviour or otherwise sharing personal information.
Among the type of data that is tracked are User-Agent strings, which identify the mobile operating system, its version, the type of installed browser and version, and (depending on the app) additional information about the mobile app the user is running. In addition, HTTP traffic generated by the mobile device’s browser or by mobile advertising services may reveal the mobile device user’s habits, interests, or searches.
Blue Coat predicts that mobile malware will continue to present a threat to users, and urges the makers of mobile phone operating systems to help users better manage how, when, and with whom mobile applications can communicate with the outside world.
