As we head into the third quarter of 2010, the World Cup is keeping excitement levels high around the globe. As is often the case with events receiving widespread attention, we are also seeing scammers trying to take advantage of the fan base. This newsletter offers Airwide’s perspective on the potential for mobile threats. We also provide you with a snapshot of one of our recent customer engagements, as Cricket Communications selects Airwide to help meet mobile messaging growth demands and protect subscribers from spam and other security threats. We’ve also got an update on other Airwide news, including the recent expansions of our senior team around the globe and a new podcast on developments in our partner program.

MOBILE MESSAGING 2.0: WORLD CUP SCAMMERS

As mobile security continues to be a growing issue, scammers seeking any avenue to target the unsuspecting are quickly taking the SMS route to trick users into giving up sensitive information.

We tend to see a dangerous spike in this activity around major and current events, as scammers attempt to disguise their messages with something timely and seemingly relevant. Given the major popularity of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it’s no surprise that most recently, scammers have been stepping it up in great numbers.

Australia recently saw a considerable spike in SMS scams. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, “Mobile phone scammers are using the FIFA World Cup to tempt Australians into providing their personal banking details in exchange for millions of dollars in phantom prizes.”

While these recent incidents occurred in Australia, there’s no doubt that scammers around the world will seek opportunity to take advantage wherever possible. In fact, in anticipation of this activity FIFA warns fans everywhere to be wary of these scams and hoaxes and that “Prize draws and competitions offering tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup can only be held by companies who are commercially affiliated with FIFA, such as, for example, sponsors.”

Tackling these SMS issues is an important step in mobile security and carriers are in a critical position to combat these threats with antispam, personalized security, and anti-fraud solutions—especially during major events like the World Cup.

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT:

AIRWIDE SOLUTIONS HELPS CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS MEET MESSAGING GROWTH DEMANDS AND SHIELD SUBSCRIBERS FROM THREAT OF SPAM

Cricket Communications, Inc. is working with Airwide to upgrade its next-generation, tiered messaging architecture which incorporates the full range of Airwide products.  The upgrade includes a capacity expansion of AirMessenger Router infrastructure and the implementation of AirGuard AntiSpam in collaboration with Cloudmark, an Airwide Solution Partner.     
Cricket has undergone significant growth, both in terms of subscribers and messaging traffic.   Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving more than five million customers in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Cricket uses AirMessenger Router and AirManager Admin to reliably deliver the millions of text messages its subscribers send every month. This expansion adds capacity to ensure that subscribers are experiencing the performance and reliability required.

Additionally, to ensure that subscribers are well protected and free from spam, Cricket is to implement Airwide’s AirGuard AntiSpam, deployed in conjunction with Cloudmark.  The AirGuard AntiSpam solution leverages Cloudmark Authority™ for comprehensive network protection of mobile spam from all sources, and manages capacity using AirMessenger Router.

“We are committed to enabling customers to intelligently grow their messaging infrastructures to keep pace with demand and progress while preserving their existing infrastructure investment,” said Andrew Wyse, vice president of global sales for Airwide Solutions.  “Airwide’s next-generation messaging architecture scales intelligently in order to accommodate Cricket’s continued growth with greater capacity, efficiency, and security.”

PODCAST: AIRWIDE’S TOM WUNDERLICH TALKS PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES

Mobile Messaging 2.0 sits down with Tom Wunderlich, Vice President of Business Development for Airwide Solutions, to discuss the company’s Alliance Network program and opportunities over the next year. From security to customer loyalty programs to the latest developments on the mobile applications front, Wunderlich discusses how Airwide and its partners are tackling some of the biggest mobile infrastructure issues carriers are facing.

Listen to podcast>