Misinformation Over Smartphone Security Spreading

With fears over smartphone security emerging, misinformation is spreading throughout the Internet.

Wallpaper, a software program for Google’s Android, has drawn attention after SK Telecom warned users Wednesday that the program is spyware. The free software allows users to use a diversity of background images.

Google conducted a probe and concluded Thursday that Wallpaper is not spyware.

The U.S. mobile security company Lookout, which raised suspicion over the program, said the same day on its official blog that developers of Wallpaper mistakenly collected the personal information of users to improve the program by analyzing their patterns of use.

Media reports erroneously say the Apple iPhone is relatively secure since it lacks multitasking function. Apple added the function to its new operating system iOS4, and its previous version also enables the function in a limited way when users listen to music and make calls.

Apple’s iPhone is relatively secure not because of no multitasking function but Apple’s rigorous management policy to examine all applications running on the iPhone.

Another myth is that Google’s Android-powered smartphones are secure because they have a default security program. The security program is installed on such smartphones, but the program begins running when users activate it.

sanhkim@donga.com