Mobile Operators
Protect Subscribers and Network from SMS Spam, Phishing and Mobile Viruses
Cloudmark Authority® for Mobile is uniquely suited to block all categories of mobile threats, from email originated attacks to attacks coming from within your own mobile network. It uses Advanced Message Fingerprinting™ together with updated feedback from Cloudmark's Global Threat Network™ system to precisely identify mobile messaging abuse. Cloudmark Authority for Mobile's content filtering goes beyond traditional protocol level controls that counteract signaling fraud to also catch more sophisticated off-network attacks and on-network abuse, such as those perpetrated through cloned SIM cards, mobile botnets and low-cost prepaid accounts.
All signs point to a precipitous rise in mobile spam and malware around the world. Factors such as the continued expansion of mobile messaging, reductions in message delivery costs, inherent network vulnerabilities and new mobile marketing initiatives are converging to create a perfect storm for attackers.
Messaging abuse is both intrusive and damaging to the mobile subscriber. A 2008 YouGov survey revealed that half of subscribers in the UK and Germany would change their mobile provider due to spam. In addition to bearing the costs of mobile spam receipt, subscribers face the risk of identity theft and fraud from phishers and spammers. For mobile operators, mobile messaging abuse directly impacts operational and capital costs. It consumes valuable resources, causes legitimate messages to be delayed, drives up support costs and, ultimately, breaks down the bond of trust between operators and subscribers, hindering the adoption of new services such as mobile advertising and m-commerce. Complicating matters: mobile spam is often sent from fraudulent addresses, leading to inaccurate subscriber billing and forfeiture of interconnection revenues since the operator cannot charge message termination fees. To prevent subscriber churn and protect revenues, mobile operators need a flexible solution for identifying and eliminating mobile spam.
Since the core of the Cloudmark classification system is language-, format- and network protocol-agnostic, all types of mobile threats are identified and blocked before they are transmitted to the subscriber. To continuously improve accuracy and response, the operator has multiple options for incorporating feedback from "honeypots" (automated data sources), administrators and mobile subscribers. Cloudmark has partnered with leading mobile infrastructure vendors to provide complete protection against email to mobile email, email to mobile, and mobile to mobile threats.
- Mobile Email – As more subscribers access their business and personal emails from devices such as the Blackberry and iPhone, operators will face the same types and levels of threats seen previously only in the fixed line environment. Mobile-targeted malware designed to damage device operating systems or infiltrate corporate networks will be costly for businesses and consumers. Cloudmark Authority implemented at the service provider MTA offers industry-leading protection against mobile spam, phishing and viruses.
- Internet Originated SMS – Sending SMS via the Internet provides another channel for spammers and phishers to reach mobile subscribers. These attacks are typically email-originated and currently take the form of spam advertising, stock scams, false recharge notices or calls to premium rate numbers. Cloudmark Authority can be implemented at the MTA or other interconnect point to block Internet originated threats.
- Mobile Terminated Spam – Threats originated from other mobile networks, bulk senders or attackers gaining access to the external mobile network have increased in recent years as attackers identify holes in protection at many mobile operators. Cloudmark is working with providers of SMS Firewall and Gateway solutions designed to protect international interconnect points from off-network attacks such as signaling fraud. In this configuration, Cloudmark provides additional protection for off-network threats that cannot be prevented with protocol-level anti-signaling fraud solutions.
- Mobile Originated Spam – As off network vectors are closed, attackers will move to on-network channels for their attacks. Threats originated from mobile devices are expected to escalate as the cost of SMS delivery declines and as the occurrences of mobile viruses used as bots increases. If this issue is not addressed, operators will face skyrocketing operational costs, network reliability problems and deep customer dissatisfaction. Cloudmark is working with mobile messaging infrastructure providers to provide unique solutions that prevent SMS/text message spam and phishing attacks received from on-network mobile sources.
Cloudmark Solutions for Mobile Operators
Cloudmark Authority for Mobile Operators
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