Viruses that attack mobile phones have appeared in Russia, an analyst with the Kaspersky Lab, an IT security software developer, said Thursday.

“This year, not only have users of smartphones become exposed to the danger, but also those using ordinary phones with the Java platform,” Alexander Gostev said.

He said the viruses infect telephones, which then begin sending text messages to paid services until subscriber accounts are emptied. Gostev said it is practically impossible to develop an antivirus program.

Gostev said such programs were first discovered in Russia, adding that there are some 20,000 different MMS viruses attacking smartphones.

The expert advised users to switch off their Bluetooth wireless data transfer function in the metro and on public transport, saying that viruses often got into phones in this way.

“In the first half of 2006, we registered 10 cases of mobile viruses sent via Bluetooth to our employees’ phones in the metro,” he said. He recommended that Bluetooth traps be mounted in the metro to prevent such attacks. He also advised users not to execute unknown program files on their phones.

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