Mobile Solutions

Mobile Operators

Cloudmark Authority for Mobile is uniquely suited to block all categories of mobile threats, from email originated attacks to attacks coming from other mobile networks. Cloudmark Authority for Mobile uses intelligent message fingerprinting together with updated feedback from the Cloudmark Global Network to precisely identify mobile messaging abuse. Traditional heuristics-based solutions often cannot distinguish spam from legitimate SMS/text messages.

Mobile spam, phishing and viruses are expected to grow significantly as Internet and mobile communications converge. Mobile access to emails is estimated to grow to 350 million users worldwide as prices of email-capable devices and data service plans decline. Connections from the Internet to the mobile network open the door to attacks from any computer.

Messaging abuse is both intrusive and damaging to the mobile subscriber. In addition to bearing the cost 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 bandwidth, causes legitimate messages to be delayed and breaks down the bond of trust between operators and subscribers, hindering the adoption of new services such as mobile advertising. The financial impact to the operator is considerable in terms of customer support, infrastructure costs and lost revenues.

Since the core of the Cloudmark classification system is language-, format- and network protocol-agnostic, all types of mobile threats, including virus executables, 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," 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 network threats.

Email to Mobile Email – As more subscribers access their business and personal emails from devices such as the Blackberry, Treo, Motorola Q and other smartphones/high-end phones, 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.

Email to SMS/Text Message – Text messaging via Web interfaces provide another channel for spammers and phishers to reach mobile subscribers. These email-originated text messages 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 to block email originated threats.

Mobile Network to SMS/Text Message – Mobile network originated threats are expected to escalate as the cost of mobile delivery declines. If this issue is not addressed, operators will bear significant costs in bandwidth and storage in addition to subscriber churn and customer support cases. Cloudmark is working with mobile messaging infrastructure providers to provide unique solutions that prevent SMS/text message spam and phishing attacks received from both off-network and on-network sources.

Cloudmark Solutions for Mobile Operators

• Cloudmark (Authority)
• Cloudmark Network Feedback (System)
• Cloudmark Intelligence (Services)