Google's Anti-Malvertising.com Site Launch Welcomed by Finjan

Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009
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Author: pradhana
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Filed under: Miscellaneous

Finjan, a leader in secure web gateway products and the provider of a unified web security solution for the enterprise market, has welcomed the launch of Anti-Malvertising.com by Google to assist its advertisers in spotting potential providers of malicious advertisements.

In total, 45857 unique malicious, advertising, and potentially unwanted programs were detected on users' computers in March 09 alone according to Kaspersky Security Network.

"The launch of the new site by Google is not before time, however, as we originally identified the problem way back in our Q1 2007 Web Trends Security Report," said Yuval Ben-Itzhak, Finjan's chief technology officer.

This tidal wave of malware has become so overwhelming, that even Google has created a custom search engine - Anti-Malvertising.com - designed to help ad network customers conduct quick background checks. It researches a variety of independent, third party sites that track possible attempts to distribute malware through advertising.

This is a trend that Finjan's MaliciousCodeResearchCenter has followed and reported on during 2008 such as the high-volume banner ad server that delivered infected banner ads to many of the 14,000-plus web sites registered to receive ads. The attack employed the random JS toolkit, a crimeware Trojan that infects the end user's machine and sends back information to the hacker.

"With the automation of crimeware, the rise in all malicious code will increase exponentially and endanger both an advertiser's brand as well as their customer's PCs," explained Yuval Ben-Itzhak, CTO of Finjan.

Advertisers will have to be vigilant to ensure that their ads are malware free both in the creation of the advertisements as well as the delivery.

Businesses should employ a Secure Web Gateway utilizing real-time content inspection technologies to protect their valuable assets from today's Web2.0, Ads and other malicious content being served on compromised legitimate sites./PR

Nokia Signs Agreement With Intel

Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2009
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Author: pradhana
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Filed under: Business Analysis

By Adam Leach, Device principal analyst at Ovum

An endorsement for Intel’s Atom processor for mobile devices

Since Intel’s launch of its Atom family of processors it has made no secret that it intends to make a serious play in mobile. The company hopes that taking a slice of the mobile device market will provide an engine for growth outside of its traditional PC and server markets.

However, the current family of Atom chipsets is not suitable for use in handsets and instead Intel has developed a new market segment for larger form factor mobile internet devices (MIDs) positioned above smartphones and below notebooks. To reach further down into the volume part of the mobile market and start reaching the expanding high-end smartphone segment, Intel needs to produce a chipset which can match the power/performance ratio of processors based on the designs of ARM Ltd. This week’s announcement is a sign that at least Nokia believes that Intel’s roadmap is credible and that the company can in time provide a competitive offering against ARM-based alternatives.

Nokia and Intel to collaborate on open source software

This announcement follows Intel’s acquisition of Wind River, a supplier of operating systems for embedded devices. The Wind River acquisition has given Intel a significant foot-hold in embedded and mobile devices, it provides them with the expertise to ensure that its chipsets are optimized towards embedded devices and gives the company access to a wide range of existing Wind River customers in this space. Intel understands the strategic advantage of maintaining control of the software stack that sits above its processors; this acquisition is a kin to Intel buying Microsoft in the early days of the PC market.

The agreement with Nokia continues Intel’s focus on software and strengthens its position. The two companies have agreed to cooperate on key open source projects and use these common technologies in Moblin (Intel’s Linux-based software platform for Atom) and Maemo (Nokia’s Linux-based software platform for its Internet Tablet products). This is good for Nokia as its platform will become more suited for the growing segment of mobile internet devices and netbooks; good for Intel as its platform will become more suited for smaller mobile devices and good news for developers as it will, to an extent, reduce fragmentation in Linux-based devices.

However, the real opportunity here is for Nokia and Intel to combine their efforts and back a single Linux-based platform for mobile devices. This could provide device vendors with a credible open alternative to existing smartphone and netbook platforms.

Intel to license Nokia’s 3G modem technology

To date, Intel has focused on WiFi and WiMax radio technologies. The announcement gives Intel the capability to produce 3G capable chipsets that will make its products more relevant the wider mobile market. It may also be the first sign that Intel is prepared to work with alternative 4G technology in addition to WiMax. It should be noted that this is not the first agreement between Nokia and Intel; in 2006 Nokia agreed to supply a HSDPA module for Intel’s Centrino platform, however, it never resulted in any commercial products. The fact that the current agreement to supply HSPA modem technology is in the context of a broader agreement, should increase the likelihood of commercial success this time.

Agreement provides Nokia with opportunity in MID and netbook markets

For Nokia this announcement also makes sure that it can compete on equal terms with PC and notebook vendors entering the mobile market with Atom-based mobile internet devices and netbooks. /PR-Ovum

SMEs in China: Promising in Mobile UC

Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2009
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Author: pradhana
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Filed under: Business Analysis

With a strong domestic market, SMEs in China are less exposed to the global economic climate than most of their counterparts in other countries. As a result, they expect to continue spending on telecoms during the downturn. “They are price-sensitive and are more likely to adopt managed and hosted services in order to avoid up-front capital investments, however we recommend caution when looking at these expectations”, said Claudio Castelli, Senior Analyst based in Melbourne.

"Even in China, economic growth is slowing considerably. At some stage it is likely that cash-strapped SMEs will look to cut costs and that budgets may not be converted into actual spend”, advised Castelli.

Mobility is growing fast among SMEs in China - currently 61% of their employees have some degree of mobility; but this high level of mobility is not yet reflected in expenditure on mobile services. As is the case in most Asian countries, SMEs in China don’t supply mobile devices to their employees; mobile users supply and support their own personal mobile devices when at work. “We believe this practice has a high degree of risk for the business”, added Mr Castelli.

However this scenario is likely to change, as SMEs expect their expenditure to grow more on mobile services than on fixed services. “Moreover, recent reforms in the Chinese telecoms market and the release of 3G licences nationwide will promote more services and competition, further accentuating this growth”, he adds.

SMEs in China are also expecting to adopt new mobile applications. Considering the magnitude of the Chinese market, this is a major opportunity for vendors and service providers. Mobile email has the highest potential to grow, while other promising mobile applications include mobile IM and mobile multimedia, which offer great opportunities for mobile UC providers. Applications that address the specific needs of mobile workforces, such as tracking of goods or vehicles, field service automation and sales force automation, will also be in demand.

In addition, there are a few companies deploying specific solutions for people moving around within the workplace, and we see potential for fixed–mobile convergence (FMC) solutions. Many SMEs are willing to deploy PBX-like features on their mobile phones – some expect these to be provided by a mobile service provider while others expect to deploy them at their own premises. However, it will be difficult to deploy integrated solutions based on users’ personal devices. “SMEs will need to take full control of their mobility solutions, including mobile devices”, concludes Castelli. /PR-Ovum

Google Debuts AdSense for iPhone and Android Apps

Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009
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Author: pradhana
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Filed under: Mobile Advertisers

By Jason Ankeny

Google announced the beta launch of AdSense for Mobile Applications, promising developers the tools to earn revenue by incorporating text and image ads in their iPhone and Android apps. In its online incarnation, the AdSense program employs Google search technology to serve advertisements based on website content, the user's geographical location and related targeting factors--brands who wish to advertise with Google may enroll via the web services giant's AdWords program.

Google notes that AdSense for Mobile Applications will function much the same way, outlining developer benefits to maximize app revenues--according to Google, the program automatically displays the he highest-paying ads in each app, enabling targeting by keyword, demographics, and location. Advertisers can also directly bid for a placement within a given app. Developers may also determine the appearance and positioning of ads in their applications, as well as filter out ads they don't want to appear. Developers can apply for the beta program here.

As for marketers, Google promises the AdSense for Mobile Applications program boasts the familiar AdWords interface, goal tracking with Google Analytics and banner ad formats. Google notes that all ad placements are above the fold, guaranteeing advertisers consistent interactions with users in the apps they use each day--brands can send traffic to their mobile or web landing pages, or promote their own apps by sending clicks directly to the iTunes App Store or Android Market. [FierceMobileContent]

Worldwide Mobile Services Revenue to Grow at Least 1.2% Annually Through 2014

Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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Author: pradhana
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Filed under: Mobile Business

Unemployment has risen dramatically from just one year ago. The result is a recalibration of consumer purchasing and usage behaviors which will affect all industries, including the normally recession-proof mobile services industry.

Yet despite current market uncertainties, a new ABI Research study shows that even under the worst recovery scenarios, mobile services revenues will continue to grow at nearly 1.2% through 2014, a 0.5% loss over pre-crisis conditions.

Says practice director Dan Shey, “A long economic recovery places pressures on mobile operators to compete on price, particularly with undifferentiated voice services. Mobile data services allow operators to counter that pressure. However each region is different. Operators should create strategies that lead customers to maintain ‘nice-to-have’ data services or encourage addition of more utilitarian ones.”

Economically, North America has been hit hardest. But mobile data services growth will exceed 8% through 2014 even in the worst recovery scenario and will shield mobile services revenues against growing voice pricing pressures.

While stimulus packages are helping power the Asia Pacific region through the financial crisis and limiting unemployment loss, regional operators derive a large portion of their data revenues from content downloads. These products would be the first casualties of an extended recession, particularly with APAC’s substantial prepay base. But operators can mitigate the impacts of the depressed conditions through appropriate messaging and offer management.

Says Shey, “Mobile operators need to stress the utility of mobile services and pursue appropriate services personalization initiatives that allow customers to buy and use services in ways that best suit their needs. Business customers should also be a target segment as businesses consider mobile a way to lower costs and increase competitiveness.”

Combining survey data with regional economic and mobile demographic factors, ABI Research’s ”World Financial Crisis and the Mobile Services Market” provides a quantitative view of potential changes in the mobile services market based on three possible economic recovery scenarios. Forecast analysis is provided for changes in postpaid and prepaid subscriber adoption, voice usage and pricing, SMS usage and pricing, and mobile data revenues. Analysis is provided across seven different world regions. [ABIResearch]