Malicious Attacks Continue to Grow Rapidly

Symantec blocked more than 5.5 billion malicious attacks in 2011, an increase of 81 percent over the previous year. In addition, the number of unique malware variants increased to 403 million and the number of Web attacks blocked per day increased by 36 percent.

At the same time, spam levels fell considerably and new vulnerabilities discovered decreased by 20 percent. These statistics, compared to the continued growth in malware, paint an interesting picture. Attackers have embraced easy to use attack toolkits to efficiently leverage existing vulnerabilities. Moving beyond spam, cyber criminals are then turning to social networks to launch their attacks. The very nature of these networks makes users incorrectly assume they are not at risk and attackers are using these sites to target new victims. Due to social engineering techniques and the viral nature of social networks, it’s much easier for threats to spread from one person to the next.

Advanced Targeted Attacks Spread to Organizations of All Sizes

Targeted attacks are growing, with the number of daily targeted attacks increasing from 77 per day to 82 per day by the end of 2011. Targeted attacks use social engineering and customized malware to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. These advanced attacks have traditionally focused on public sector and government; however, in 2011, targeted attacks diversified.

Targeted attacks are no longer limited to large organizations. More than 50 percent of such attacks target organizations with fewer than 2,500 employees, and almost 18 percent target companies with fewer than 250 employees. These organizations may be targeted because they are in the supply chain or partner ecosystem of a larger company and because they are less well-defended. Furthermore, 58 percent of attacks target non-execs, employees in roles such as human resources,, public relations, and sales. Individuals in these jobs may not have direct access to information, but they can serve as a direct link into the company. They are also easy for attackers to identify online and are used to getting proactive inquiries and attachments from unknown sources.

Rise of Data Breaches, Lost Devices Concern for the Future

Approximately 1.1 million identities were stolen per data breach on average in 2011, a dramatic increase over the amount seen in any other year. Hacking incidents posed the greatest threat, exposing 187 million identities in 2011—the greatest number for any type of breach last year. However, the most frequent cause of data breaches that could facilitate identity theft was theft or loss of a computer or other medium on which data is stored or transmitted, such as a smartphone, USB key or a backup device. These theft-or loss-related breaches exposed 18.5 million identities.

As tablets and smartphones continue to outsell PCs, more sensitive information will be available on mobile devices. Workers are bringing their smartphones and tablets into the corporate environment faster than many organizations are able to secure and manage them. This may lead to an increase in data breaches as lost mobile devices present risks to information if not properly protected. Recent research by Symantec shows that 50 percent of lost phones will not be returned and 96 percent (including those returned) will experience a data breach.

Mobile Threats Expose Businesses and Consumers

Mobile vulnerabilities increased by 93 percent in 2011. At the same time, there was a rise in threats targeting the Android operating system. With the number of vulnerabilities in the mobile space rising and malware authors not only reinventing existing malware for mobile devices, but creating mobile-specific malware geared to the unique mobile opportunities, 2011 was the first year that mobile malware presented a tangible threat to businesses and consumers. These threats are designed for activities including data collection, the sending of content, and user tracking.

During independent product testing, RFMD’s PowerSmart power platforms achieved HSPA+ 4G data upload speeds while drawing approximately 15% less current than competitive solutions. Product qualification tests, which are routinely performed to evaluate each new cellular product’s front end, transceiver and baseband, are currently being conducted in support of a highly anticipated product family spanning multiple form factors, to be launched by a leading cellular device manufacturer beginning in the March, 2011, quarter.
PowerSmart power platforms feature a revolutionary new RF Configurable Power Core™ that delivers multiband, multi-mode coverage of all cellular communications modulation schemes, including GSM/GPRS, EDGE, EDGE Evolution, CDMA, 3G (TD-SCDMA or WCDMA) and 4G (HSPA+, LTE or WiMAX). HSPA+ 4G devices are capable of maximum data upload speeds of 22 megabits per second (Mbps).

Because the RF Configurable Power Core in PowerSmart is compliant with all current and known future 4G data standards (HSPA+, LTE QPSK, LTE 16QAM, and LTE 64QAM), RFMD anticipates subsequent smartphones featuring PowerSmart will support upload speeds significantly greater than 22 Mbps.

In addition to the RF Configurable Power Core, which performs all power amplification and power management functionality, RFMD’s PowerSmart power platforms include all necessary switching and signal conditioning functionality in a compact reference design, providing smartphone manufacturers a single scalable source for the entire cellular front end.

The 3DeeCentral app is available for Windows 7, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 3rd generation devices at 3DeeCentral.com. An Android app is coming soon. From the 3DeeCentral app, users can preview, buy and download 3D content for viewing on their 3D device.

Screenshot of the 3eeCentral iPhone-App

Free Spatial View 3DeeSlide – Limited Time Only

iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 3rd generation users will receive a free 3DeeSlide when they download the 3DeeCentral iOS app and register for a user account. It is the only content distribution system that provides 3D content for the iPhone and iPod touch, when used with Spatial View’s 3DeeSlide, a lenticular accessory used to view 3D
content – glasses free. The iPhone 3G, 2nd generation iPod touch and all older devices are not supported. Support for the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4 will be announced at a
later date.

“3DeeCentral is a source of online stereo 3D content for a broad range of 3D devices,” said Al Lopez, COO of Spatial View. “We support 3D devices including active shutter glasses, polarized glasses, anaglyph and auto-stereoscopic technologies. We want to offer the most comprehensive coverage of platforms as possible.”

The company has obtained licensed content from over 20 independent 3D filmmakers bringing the total to over 100 titles. “3DeeCentral provides the widest variety of high quality 3D movies and images from independent publishers for distribution,” added Lopez. “3DeeCentral is arriving at a time when audiences are really getting turned onto 3D,” stated Jason Goodman, Founder & CEO of 21stCentury3D. “Just as media goes with us everywhere on smart phones, VOD and tablets, 3D media can now do the same. 21st Century 3D is excited to be a part of this innovative launch.”

Spatial View is well positioned to become the recognized leader for stereo 3D content on the Internet and the ‘go-to destination’ for consumers looking for compelling 3D content.

“With unmatched reach, interactivity and personalisation capabilities, more than ever before, mobile has a critical role to play in the development and execution of brand marketing campaigns,” said Michael O’Hara, chief marketing officer for the GSMA. “The Mobile Ad Forum at Mobile World Congress provides an ideal platform where leading players from across mobile and advertising can come together, discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing the collective and explore how, together, we can unlock the huge market potential of mobile advertising.”

Sessions in the Mobile Ad Forum at Mobile World Congress will examine the following subjects: “Integrating Mobile into a Broader Advertising Campaign”, “How Effective is Multimedia Mobile Advertising?”, “How to Make In-App Advertising Work”, and “Delivering Personalised Advertising While Protecting Privacy”. The Mobile Ad Forum will span Tuesday, 15th February and Wednesday, 16th February.

Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group, will share his perspectives on the intersection of advertising and the explosive mobile application market in a keynote presentation on Tuesday, 15th February. Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic Group, one of the world’s premier advertising and marketing services companies, will offer his insights on the role of mobile in creating truly integrated communications campaigns in a keynote on Tuesday, 15th February.

Other speakers slated to participate in the Mobile Ad Forum include:

• Nancy Hill, CEO, American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As)
• Vanessa Colella, Head of North American Marketing, Citigroup
• Tom Daly, Group Manager, Strategy and Planning, Global Interactive Marketing Group at The Coca-Cola Company
• Tom Hume, Managing Director, Future Platforms
• Adam Smith, Futures Director, Group M
• Eric Bader, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Initiative
• Quentin George, Chief Digital Officer, IPG/Mediabrands
• James Hilton, Joint CEO, M&C Saatchi Mobile
• Rudi Broos, Innovation Director, Alcatel-Lucent Bell
• Zohar Levkovitz, CEO and Co-Founder, Amobee
• Matthew Hull, Vice President, Product and Operations, AT&T Advanced Ad Solutions
• Ian Carrington, Director of Mobile Advertising Sales, EMEA, Google
• Kevin Scott, Director of Software Engineering, Google
• Andrea Macario, Head of Advertising and Placement, Ovi Store, Nokia
• Tanya Field, Director, Mobile Data Group, Telefonica O2
• Alex Linde, Director, Mobile Advertising, Yahoo!

GSMA and Coca-Cola in the Hunt for Leading Brand Apps

In addition to the Mobile Ad Forum conference programme, Mobile World Congress will also feature the Brand App Challenge, a competition in which mobile application developers create “brand apps” for a select group of global consumer brands, including Coca-Cola, with its Coca-Cola, Coke Zero and Diet Coke brands. Winners of the Brand App Challenge will be named at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, which will be held 14-17 February, 2011 in Barcelona.

“The Brand App Challenge will create networking and business opportunities which benefit the brands, application developers and the broader mobile ecosystem,” commented O’Hara. “This competition taps the creativity and capabilities of the mobile application developer community to address brand and industry challenges, and we are thrilled to be working with Coca-Cola to help them maximise the power of mobile.”

For more information on the Brand App Challenge, including criteria for participation, creative briefs, details on the submission process and more, please visit http://www.brandappchallenge.com.

As a combined entity, the two companies are well-positioned with a broad and deep suite of solutions aimed at helping a wide variety of service providers roll out new products and services and operate more effectively, thereby improving their bottom line. The new product suite will include an end-to-end customer interaction management platform, combining mediation, billing, rating, charging, product catalog, customer care, web self-service, analytics, interactive messaging, interconnect services, content management, workforce management and marketing services.

“CSG and Intec share a common goal—helping our clients drive results through an improved customer experience and operational performance,” Peter Kalan, president and chief executive officer of CSG Systems International, Inc., said. “The combination of these two companies provides operators with a partner that has a broad set of solutions and delivery models to help them meet their business needs. Our combined experience in helping fixed, mobile and next generation service providers meet the increasing demands and challenges that they face in providing world-class services to their customers will enable us to help our clients compete and win in this dynamic marketplace.”

CSG initially announced the acquisition on September 24, 2010. The total cost of the acquisition, excluding transaction fees, was approximately $376 million.

The survey, carried out in spring 2010, polled the views and opinions of 500prepaid mobile phone subscribers across the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

More than 30% of respondents in each country said they would be prepared to pay a premium for the ability to select their own number – depending on cost. The proportions are highest in France (45%) and Italy (43%).Of those users who stated they would be prepared to pay a premium, around25% said that they would pay between €6-50 (between £6 and £50 in thecase of UK users). France had the most engaged set of respondents in this respect with 31% fitting into this category.

“These figures will give wireless operators food for thought,” says Evolving Systems’ Chief Technology Officer Stuart Cochran. “If operators could convert these percentages of their prepaid mobile subscriber base to number personalization, they would gain a significant incremental revenue source.

There clearly is a potential market in these key European countries for personalized number selection and it is equally clear that this market remains largely unexploited so far.”

The survey finds that only a small proportion of prepaid users have ever been offered the opportunity to select their own mobile number. Just 13% of prepaid French users (and only 21% of those in Italy), for example, had been given this option when buying a prepaid SIM card.

Available Options

When prepaid users are offered number choice, it is typically provided through a retail store. This option was the most popular route in every country surveyed apart from Germany. Very few subscribers had been offered a choice of numbers via their mobile phone screen. In Italy, just 3% of those prepaid users who had ever been given the chance to select their own mobile number had been offered it in this way.

Yet, when asked how they would like to choose the number, selecting it via the phone’s screen scored well. In the UK, it is clearly preferred to going into a retail store and being helped by a salesperson and in every other country surveyed it is at least competitive with that option. According to Cochran, “This underlines the potential of a different approach to provisioning such as our own Dynamic SIM Allocation™ (DSA) solution, for example, that offers personalization such as number choice to customers when they use a mobile device for the first time. Not only is this more convenient for the customer, it also gives them a much wider choice of numbers and the ability to search for vanity numbers that are memorable or have special meaning.

“In networks that are already offering number selection using DSA, we are seeing take-up ahead of our expectations, driving revenue, with the potential to increase loyalty,” Cochran added. “The time of first use also presents an ideal opportunity to offer additional, value-added services to new customers. The same on-device dialogue that supports number choice can also be used to offer device-specific price plans or location-based promotions, further increasing the incremental revenue opportunity.”

“The Global Mobile Awards celebrate the very best achievements in mobile communications, an industry that continues to innovate, surprise and defy boundaries,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA. “Now in our 16th year, we have introduced new awards to reflect emerging trends such as the proliferation of applications and the rise of connected devices in sectors such as health, transport, utilities and consumer electronics. The Global Mobile Awards continue to recognise the talent and diversity that exists across the entire mobile ecosystem and we wish all those taking part the best of luck.”

The GSMA has launched additional awards for 2011 to address new developments in the mobile industry, and has also revised the entry and judging process for select awards. A new category, ‘Global Mobile App Awards’, has been introduced and will be divided into two sub-categories: ‘Apps of the Year’, with five awards determined by user choice and statistical analysis*; and a ‘Judges’ Choice – Best App’ award, with the winner selected by a panel of independent experts. Nominations for the ‘Best Mobile Handset/Device’ and ‘Mobile Device Manufacturer of the Year’ will also be chosen by a panel of industry experts rather than through the traditional online entry process, with the aim of accurately reflecting global market trends in device innovation and leadership.

The GSMA has also restructured a number of categories to reflect the broad and always evolving mobile communications industry. The ‘Best Technology’ category has been expanded with new awards including ‘Best Mobile Broadband Technology’ and ‘Best Mobile Technology for Emerging Markets’, and the ‘Mobile Innovation’ category will honour mobile products and services with individual awards aimed at vertical sectors such as health, education, transport and utilities, as well as an award for the best new and innovative connected device available within these sectors.

In total, 26 awards will be presented under the following categories:

* Global Mobile App Awards
* Mobile Advertising and Marketing
* Best Mobile Business and Enterprise
* Social and Economic Development
* Mobile Innovation
* Green Mobile Award
* Best Mobile Devices
* Best Technology
* Outstanding Achievement Awards

The Global Mobile Awards 2011 can be entered online at http://www.globalmobileawards.com and nominations close on Monday 22nd November 2010. Entries are open to companies across the entire mobile ecosystem. For a full list of categories, deadlines and award criteria please visit: http://www.globalmobileawards.com.

The awards will be judged by a panel of independent experts, analysts, journalists, academics and, in some cases, mobile operator representatives, and the GSMA will announce the shortlist of nominations for each category in mid January 2011.

Ixonos builds complete and innovative products and services, reducing the time-to-market of its customers, such as mobile device manufacturers and mobile operators. Ixonos is a visionary partner to its customers and brings a full set of services from new product innovation to software development, mechanical engineering and electronics design. The company is also working on several novel industrial design plans and approaches to support bringing new devices to the market.

At the Intel Developer Forum 2010 in San Francisco, Ixonos is showcasing some of its recent work with new handheld industrial designs, mobile user interfaces, and device customization tools. At the Mobile World Congress earlier this year, Ixonos demonstrated a touch screen mobile user interface concept using an Aava Mobile reference device based on the Intel Atom Processor Z6xx series. In addition to the user interface demonstration, Ixonos showcased a proof-of-concept of a device configurator tool that enables expedited design and implementation of customized mobile devices. Ixonos is developing solutions for MeeGo, Android and Symbian operating systems running on a multitude of devices.

“We are delighted to announce our support for Intel based handheld platforms, the capabilities of which have made our development easier and faster. Ixonos holds a unique skill set in delivering unparalleled solutions, user experiences, and innovative devices, and is now pleased to bring these strengths to Intel Atom based platforms,” highlights Ixonos’ Panu Kause, Vice President, Global Solutions.

“The Intel Atom processor has had tremendous success in the marketplace since its launch over 2 years ago,” said Pankaj Kedia, director of global ecosystem programs for Intel Corporation’s Ultra Mobility Group. “Ixonos has a rich heritage in developing leadership experiences in the smartphone segment. As we extend our roadmap to the smartphone market segment, we welcome Ixonos into the Intel ecosystem and look forward to working with them to meet the needs of our customers.”

“Ixonos is unique in the market because it not only designs at the device level but also specializes in building advanced user experience (UE) and user interface (UI) solutions as well as highly dynamic and futuristic applications. Through its deep understanding of devices, Ixonos makes these applications and solutions interface with virtually any device, be it a smartphone, pad or tablet,” Ixonos’ Panu Kause continues.