Can you get malware through smartphone online?

[LunarWolf]

I don't know where to post this. My sister just got herself a Nokia E5 which runs on Symbian OS version v. 9.3.

She is scared to go online with the phone as she scared that a simple google search might infect her phone. Can it?

IMHO, I don't think the risk are as high as running a desktop or laptop with Windows install as even if the page is infected, most malwares are programed to run on Windows. Since Symbian OS is not windows OS, it can't infect right?

Another thing, even if the phone is infected, I am sure there is a option "return to factory default state" (as all phone I see have this) so it should be no problem right?

She is not going to buy an antivirus for her phone. So anyway to protect it?

[Alboguy]

Hi Lunar!

About 2 years ago I bought my Nokia E66 and I had to do some research about symbian phones. I've read only s60 v1.0 and s60 v2.0 might get infected (ComWarrior is e very dangerous one). The s60 v3.0 which is you sisters mobile and mine too, they can get infected. I'm assuming your sister's cellphone is Nokia E51 or E52. But I don't know if any symbian virus is being developed recently.
Anyways you can always NetQin AV to feel safe in your sisters cellphone. Consider that the chances that the phone can get infected are very low.

BTW symbian phones are not smartphones...
Blackberry, HTC etc. are smartphones.

[Ande]

Remember, if you're running an OS, no matter what appliance, you can get infected one way or another.

[Ceyfer √]

She is scared to go online with the phone as she scared that a simple google search might infect her phone. Can it?

Possibly, Yes! but the prevalence rate is low.

IMHO, I don't think the risk are as high as running a desktop or laptop with Windows install as even if the page is infected, most malwares are programed to run on Windows. Since Symbian OS is not windows OS, it can't infect right?

...that statement is now obsolete in general term, if you're updated on the current cybercrime trend, it is all in the cloud now. As a former coder, I don't care about your OS. I care about your routine,trust and data. See Phising,cross-browser platform attacks,exploit packs. Smart phone threats is still low these days! Blended threats are soon to come.

Another thing, even if the phone is infected, I am sure there is a option "return to factory default state" (as all phone I see have this) so it should be no problem right?

Correct, but mainly focus on the dropper/agent/autoit worms that is hiding ( if connected on infected box ) on your phone external memory ( sd-card/micro-sd/... ).

She is not going to buy an antivirus for her phone. So anyway to protect it?

No need. I don't see any reason. Even my WinMos 6.5 is still free from foreign particles ( just shut off the blue-tooth feature all the time! ).

[Neo]

getting infected has a very rare chance on mobile
i highly dis-recommend av on mobiles

[JayCub]

Thank you Ceyfer for bringing some clarity for this, as i was interested to see what replies LunarWolf would get, Thank you Alboguy interesting information.

[LunarWolf]

Thanks for all the reply. Really learnt some new stuff.