New Exploits Attack Symbian Phones

A new exploit for a wide range of Symbian OS-based smartphones was made public last week. This exploit has been dubbed the “SMS Curse of Silence” by Tobias Engel, who discovered and disclosed the exploit at the 25th Chaos Communication Congress.

The exploit can make the text messaging function of the affected phone unusable. Affected phones cannot receive SMS text messages. Smartphones that can be attacked this way include UIQ devices and S60 2nd Edition Feature Packs 2 and 3, 3rd Edition and 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1. S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 or 5th Edition phones are not affected.

The attack consists of sending one or, depending on the phone model, several specifically formatted SMS messages to the smartphone being targeted. The messages crash the phone’s SMS system, but the phone remains functional otherwise. Older models do not show symptoms of the attack that would be visible to the user; however newer phones can show messages that the phone is running out of memory or experience constantly flashing message icons after the attack.

BlackBerry Maker Sees Competition

For years, Research In Motion RIMM has dominated the U.S. market for smart phones, essentially handheld laptops for road warriors. It was a niche market growing five times faster than the standard cell phone space.

Then came the Apple AAPL iPhone, creating a flood of smart phones from various manufacturers.

Canada-based RIM responded in 2008 with new products for business and consumers. The impact of its large investment in research and development and the onslaught of competition surfaced in the summer, as earnings and sales slipped below expectations. RIM has lowered expectations ever since.

Jim Balsillie, co-chief executive, remained confident throughout and looks forward to 2009 as the market shifts into the field it pioneered and in which it remains the market leader.The initial attraction of the BlackBerry was its ability to handle e-mail and business applications. Newer models can surf the Web with ease, play music, capture photos and provide satellite navigation. The emphasis is now on the development of software applications that bring a rich set of new features to smart phones. There are thousands of them for business and pleasure.

The smart phone has become a game changer. No longer do cellular service providers like AT&T T and Verizon VZ set all the rules.

article by BRIAN DEAGON (Investor's Business Daily)