Mobile smartphones and media tablets are constantly being enhanced by new apps and associated application updates. Games, social networking, productivity apps, financial tools are flocking to the mobile platform.
Unfortunately, embedded along with that application software can be hidden malware. Loss, theft, spam, Trojans, spyware, data breach, and aggressive advertising are some of the potential threats facing unprotected mobile devices.
Between the first quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2012 ABI Research found that unique malware variants grew by 2180 percent -- reaching 17,439.
The Upside Opportunity for Security Apps
According to the latest market study by ABI Research, the global market for mobile application security will be worth $398 million by the end of 2012.
This includes revenues for paid apps, partnerships with manufacturers and operators, white label deals, and dataset sales. To date, they calculate that there have been over 130 billion downloads of mobile security apps.
According the ABI's assessment, these malware threats are going to increase significantly -- due to the ongoing adoption of new mobile devices.
“With the increasing popularity of smartphones, mobile threats are on the rise. This has implications for security at the corporate level as well as for individual privacy,” says Michela Menting, senior cyber security analyst at ABI Research.
The mobile application security market is rife with vendors offering their wares. The priority now for end-users is understanding the issue at hand and finding the right offering that best suits their needs.
A number of companies are standing out among the hoards of mobile security vendors. As with all purchases, you must first assess your security application requirement and then choose a solution that's a best fit for your particular use case scenario.
Unfortunately, embedded along with that application software can be hidden malware. Loss, theft, spam, Trojans, spyware, data breach, and aggressive advertising are some of the potential threats facing unprotected mobile devices.
Between the first quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2012 ABI Research found that unique malware variants grew by 2180 percent -- reaching 17,439.
The Upside Opportunity for Security Apps
According to the latest market study by ABI Research, the global market for mobile application security will be worth $398 million by the end of 2012.
This includes revenues for paid apps, partnerships with manufacturers and operators, white label deals, and dataset sales. To date, they calculate that there have been over 130 billion downloads of mobile security apps.
According the ABI's assessment, these malware threats are going to increase significantly -- due to the ongoing adoption of new mobile devices.
“With the increasing popularity of smartphones, mobile threats are on the rise. This has implications for security at the corporate level as well as for individual privacy,” says Michela Menting, senior cyber security analyst at ABI Research.
The mobile application security market is rife with vendors offering their wares. The priority now for end-users is understanding the issue at hand and finding the right offering that best suits their needs.
A number of companies are standing out among the hoards of mobile security vendors. As with all purchases, you must first assess your security application requirement and then choose a solution that's a best fit for your particular use case scenario.