By Telecom Lead Team: AT&T, Bell Mobility, Sprint,
T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless in North America have launched the GSMA Spam
Reporting Service (SRS), powered by Cloudmark technology.
Cloudmark technology enables operators to address global
messaging threats to mobile networks. Currently, North America has one of the
lowest incidences of mobile spam in the world and U.S. and Canadian operators
continue to focus on the integrity of their messaging platforms by launching
this service.
As we continue to dissolve borders with communications
technology and travel, we become more aware of the boundless possibilities
available to us via our mobile devices. Equally apparent however, are the
endless opportunities for malicious activity,” said Hugh McCartney, chief
executive officer, Cloudmark.
The GSMA’s SRS allows operators to share attack
intelligence so that appropriate action can be taken to prevent spam attacks
from advancing. The SRS enables operators to empower their consumer base to
report problems back to a global collection, aggregation and reporting service,
maintaining trust and confidence in the marketplace. The short code 7726, which
spells SPAM on most phones, will be used where local national numbering plans
permit.
The SRS correlates data from all participating networks
and provides operators with live, online reports that flag attacks in progress.
This gives operators the information necessary to take appropriate action to
protect their subscribers and their networks from further potential harm.
Around the world, increasing numbers of consumers are
falling victim to spam. Mobile network operators are working hard defending
against these threats to continue to protect the quality of the mobile service
and reinforce subscriber trust,” said Michael O’Hara, chief marketing officer,
GSMA.
The service also offers an Android app that operators can
make available to their Android smartphone users. This app allows subscribers
to easily submit spam details to the operator to further enhance the
effectiveness of the SRS service.
“Mobile security threats such as spam, virus and
phishing are becoming more critical as businesses and consumers increasingly
access sensitive information via smartphones,” said Ed Amoroso, AT&T
chief security officer.
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