When I was invited to talk about mobile phone virus a few months back, the first tip that I gave out against phone viruses is to always say ‘no’ when your phone asks to install a program you are not familiar with.

     With mobile phones functioning more like computers (accessible by hackers), it’s no surprise that hackers and virus writers have the popular iPhone in their sights. Ari Hypponen, chief technical director of Helsinki-based computer security firm F-Secure, told me that the iPhone, and other smart phones that have Bluetooth, Microsoft and Symbian software, are the most likely targets of high tech viruses.

     The easiest and cheapest way to stop viruses from spreading inside your iPhone is to take some simple precautions:         

• Make Bluetooth invisible by going to the Bluetooh menu and setting it on “non-discoverable” or “hiding.” You can still make it visible when needed.
• Delete all unsolicited messages without opening them.
• Always say “no” if your phone asks to install a program that you are not familiar with.
• Do not install third-party software if you are not sure of its developer
• As much as possible, install only software from Apple’s website

     I know these are simple steps to fight simple iPhone virus. Hackers are now working on more smart viruses and trojans that can execute themselves without user intervention. Now that’s something scary. But for sure, there are also developers who are working on countering whatever these virus writers will produce.