They are sleek, they are powerful, and they are a wish list standard.  Smartphones, like iPhone and BlackBerry, are creating a collective buzz that can be heard worldwide.

The hype is well deserved.  Mobile devices have matured and with their coming of age we now have capabilities that seemed far-fetched only a few years ago.  For employees and executives the world over, smartphones make corporate data and applications available anytime, anywhere.

But just as a smartphone is now capable of downloading data and applications wirelessly, so can it download viruses, spyware, even pornographic content, without a user’s consent.  The use of flash memory cards on some phones opens yet another door for malware to spread to these devices.

The threat is real and growing.  A recent PC World article reports that malware writers are ramping up their activity in the mobile arena, learning from proof-of-concept threats and fine-tuning the amount of user interaction required to propagate the damage.

According to SMobile Systems, a company that specializes in mobile security, there are over 400 wireless threats currently, and more are predicted to arise by year’s end.  The threats can take many forms.  Among the attacks are those that attempt to delete data, those that record a user’s phone calls, and those that send SMS text messages with links to malicious web sites.

It is a simple equation:  greater use equals greater exposure.  The explosion in smartphone use and the productivity gains that come with it have increased the security risks for corporations.  Given their functionality, smartphones should be treated as an extension of the computing network system, just as desktops and laptops are.

Until recently, enterprises were wary of pushing business applications onto mobile devices.  Security concerns were also a primary focus for corporate users given the potential consequences and cost of exposing sensitive data.  But strong demand has begun to turn the tide.  In this endeavor, it is critical that IT organizations address security issues early on.

Different types of suppliers are working to deliver solutions – smartphone manufacturers, mobile networks, and security vendors – and increasingly finding that by coming together they have a better chance to prevent security issues from compromising the uptake of mobile technologies.

Matt Hines from InfoWorld recently spoke with several security executives. From Kara Hayes, a senior product manager at Nokia, he reports that encryption is one solution that is generating great interest.  And from Scott Totzke, from Research in Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry, he reports that customers are increasingly demanding ways of protecting data. The InfoWorld article quotes Totzke on customer’s needs:  “They want tools to kill information or lock it down when a handheld is lost, they want to encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest, and there are growing concerns about compliance.”

Providers of security solutions are extending their reach by working directly with mobile operators.  One of them, Finnish company F-Secure offers security bundles through mobile operators, such as T-Mobile and Swisscom, and mobile handset manufacturers such as Nokia.

Time will tell if mobile threats escalate as is assumed that they will.  But following security best practices should be an equally wise move, whether using a smartphone or any other type of computing device.

Dear Nokia Customer,

This is a product advisory for the Nokia-branded BL-5C battery manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan between December 2005 and November 2006. This product advisory does not apply to any other Nokia battery.

Nokia has identified that in very rare cases the affected batteries could potentially experience over heating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge. Nokia is working closely with relevant local authorities to investigate this situation.

Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries that have collectively produced more than 300 million BL-5C batteries. This advisory applies only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006. There have been approximately 100 incidents of over heating reported globally. No serious injuries or property damage have been reported.

Consumers with a BL-5C battery subject to this advisory should note that all of the approximately 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery. According to Nokia’s knowledge this issue does not affect any other use of the mobile device. Concerned consumers may want to monitor a mobile device while charging that contains a BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

While the occurrence in the BL-5C batteries produced by Matsushita in the time-period specified is very rare, for consumers wishing to do so, Nokia and Matsushita offer to replace any BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

The BL-5C batteries which are subject to the product advisory were used with the following Nokia models or separately as accessories:

Nokia 1100, Nokia 1100c, Nokia 1101, Nokia 1108, Nokia 1110, Nokia 1112, Nokia 1255, Nokia 1315, Nokia 1600, Nokia 2112, Nokia 2118, Nokia 2255, Nokia 2272, Nokia 2275, Nokia 2300, Nokia 2300c, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2355, Nokia 2600, Nokia 2610, Nokia 2610b, Nokia 2626, Nokia 3100, Nokia 3105, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3125, Nokia 6030, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6108, Nokia 6175i, Nokia 6178i, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6270, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6631, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 6820, Nokia 6822, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72, Nokia N91, Nokia E50, Nokia E60

“Nokia” and “BL-5C” are printed on the front of the battery. On the back of the battery, the Nokia mark appears at the top, and the battery identification number (consisting of 26 characters) is found at the bottom.
If you are interested to know if your battery is part of this product advisory, please follow the two steps below:
1)     Switch off your mobile device and check the battery model. If your battery is not a BL-5C model, you are not included in this product advisory and your product will not be replaced. 

 
2) If your battery is a BL-5C model, remove the battery and check the 26-character identification number from the back of the battery. Enter the identification number in the field below and you will be advised if your battery may be replaced.