Mobile malware on the rise

• Tweet

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The Apple iOS and Android mobile operating systems are the new favorite victims being targeted by cybercriminals with malware, security experts say.

Computer security company McAfee said malware is a greater threat now than any other time in the last four years, and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are increasingly being attacked by worms, viruses, botnets, Trojans and spam, CNET reported Tuesday.

"Over the last quarter we have seen prime examples of malware that impacted consumers, businesses and critical infrastructure facilities," Senior Vice President of McAfee Labs Vincent Weafer said in a statement. "Attacks that we've traditionally seen on PCs are now making their way to other devices."

Every single device that connects to the Internet is at risk of exposure to malware, McAffee said.

The Android mobile operating system is a growing favorite target for cybercriminals despite Google's efforts to tighten security of the OS.

"During the past few quarters, we've seen that the Android OS is the most popular target for writers of mobile malware," McAfee's report said. "This quarter was no different; practically all new mobile malware was directed at the Android platform."