But as more companies start using generic software on their cellphones, hackers will find it more worthwhile to create viruses that can affect a large number of phones.
"For hackers, it's only interesting to write viruses that can do damage," said Stefan Fillip, a partner at Mercer Management Consulting in Hong Kong.
"As soon as more 3G networks are deployed and people can send attachments and files, it'll get interesting for attackers," he said.
In the worst case, malicious attacks on cellphones in 2005 could result in US$471 million in costs for every 5 million users affected, according to estimates that Fillip compiled last year. Out of frustration, some customers may also switch providers.
In the last year, Fillip said, companies have begun to recognize the potential threat to their businesses.
In response to spam, many carriers have enhanced the firewalls that defend their network computers and some have also allowed customers to block calls or mail from designated phone numbers.
But phone companies tread a thin line when it comes to blocking legitimate data traffic for fear that it contains viruses. They clearly need to promote Internet access if they want to generate profits from data traffic, but if they become too paranoid about viruses, they could end up hindering that traffic.
"If you have a virus on your PC, you don't call Microsoft," Watanabe said. "But with problem handsets, they will call us, so our response has to be very fast. We have a filtering function on our servers, but we want one on our handsets, too."
NTT DoCoMo is one of the more aggressive companies trying to tackle the problem. Last month it announced an agreement with Network Associates, a California-based security software company, to develop an anti-virus program for handsets.
The companies hope to roll out their product by the end of next year but have not decided on its precise specifications. Project team managers expect the software to allow users to have anti-virus updates downloaded automatically to their handsets.
Victor Kouznetsov, chief technology officer at Network Associates, which makes McAfee security software, said the companies probably would not charge for the software; DoCoMo will make that decision.
The software could be programmed into handsets before they are sold or added to older models. DoCoMo has also started releasing handsets that can download software, including security software, in a matter of minutes.
Carriers in Asia are the furthest along in using anti-virus technol-ogy. But security experts say that as high-speed mobile networks spread through Europe and the US, it is only a matter of time before carriers in Western countries get the security bug, too.
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