Symantec Says Apple, Google Apps Are Malware Targets

Symantec Corp. Chief ExecutiveOfficer Enrique Salem said downloadable applications forsmartphones and tablets represent a new front in the fightagainst computer threats.

Applications available from Apple Inc.'s App Store andGoogle Inc.'s Android Market are vulnerable to attacks byhackers who want information housed on handsets and tabletcomputers, Salem said in an interview yesterday at Bloomberg'sSan Francisco office. Apple's store boasts more than 350,000applications, during Android Market has more than 200,000.

Symantec, the largest maker of security software, may spendas much as $860 million more on acquisitions this year to helpit expand in mobile, he said. The company as well seeks targets incloud services, or the delivery of computing over the Internet,and virtualization, software that helps servers run moreefficiently, Salem said, reiterating remarks he made May 26.

The company is shifting its focus as demand surges forsmartphones, tablets and cloud computing, during businesses andconsumers curtail personal computer purchases.

For Apple users, the threats don't end with mobile devices.Mac laptops and desktops will increasingly be the target ofmalware as they gain popularity, Salem said. Symantec's softwarehas long secured PCs running Microsoft's Windows software.

"Apple takes security very in all seriousness," said Tom Neumayr,a spokesman for Apple. "We have a very thorough approvalprocess and review every App. We as well check the identities ofevery developer and if we ever find anything malicious, thedeveloper will be removed from the iPhone Developer Program andtheir apps can be removed from the App Store."

The past month

Apple has been trying to combat malicious softwaretargeting Mac users in the past month. The malware, posing as anantivirus program called "MacDefender," tries to trick peoplein to thinking they have a virus. The scam encourages users todownload fake security software.

"Its ultimate goal is to get the user's credit cardinformation which may be used for fraudulent purposes," Applesaid in a May 24 message to users about how to avoid and removethe software from their machines.

The market for cloud computing

In the market for cloud computing, Symantec is buildingprograms to help companies' information innovation departmentssafeguard applications from Salesforce.com Inc. and other Web-delivered software, including SuccessFactors Inc. and possiblyWorkday Inc., according to Salem.

Symantec, in a May 11 report, forecast higher revenue thananalysts predicted, buoyed by demand for data-backup softwareand the effect of a weaker dollar on overseas sales.