It is a common sense for everyone to use an anti virus for their personal computers, whether it is a laptop or the desktop, in order to protect it from spamming, viruses and other forms of malware. Only a few know that while surfing the internet, from a mobile phone, makes it vulnerable to the attacks from viruses, malware and other malicious attacks. This makes the need of the hour, that is, having an anti virus program for your mobile phone, a compulsion.

With increasing usage of mobile phone, as a medium for sending e-mail, transferring data, sharing photos, music and a other forms of social networking, it might seem to a common man that mobile virus protection is something useless. But experts have revealed that more than 420 viruses have been identified till date like the Duts, which needs permission before spreading and Brador, which gives hackers access to the files before deleting them. So, you can very well see, how dangerous it could be if you do not have an anti virus program in your mobile phone.

Some of the ways that help you protect your mobile phone from the various viruses:

# Download software from a reliable source. Mosquito, which forms a virus, causing people to send text messages to any recipient, without their knowledge. People were victimized by this virus, by downloading just a game.

# Do not open files, folders or messages from people you do not know and don't trust. Some people might just make use of the attachments sent to you in your mails and SMS text messages as a medium of spreading virus.

# Use passwords for signing in online and change them frequently and do not forget to sign out from your account after completing your work. A hacker can easily make way to your phone if you just visit a malicious web site.

# Turn your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections off, after getting your work done. If not taken care of, you could be unknowingly transmitting content and information to strangers at any point of time.

# You should create a back up for your device's files once a week.

# An anti virus program should be chosen such that it provides automatic updates and real time virus scanning.

The following anti-virus programs could be chosen, depending on your needs:

# Avast! PDA edition, supporting palm OS and windows mobile.
# F-Secure mobile security, supporting Symbian and Windows mobile.
# Kaspersky mobile security, supporting Symbian and Windows mobile.
# SMobile security shield, parental control edition, supporting Blackberry RIM, google android, Symbian and Windows mobile.
In this regard, people using i-Phone should be really careful, as there isn't any anti-virus software available for the same. Keep in mind all the methods of protecting your phone, from virus attacks, you will have a sound networking system on your phone.