Cloudmark partners with GSMA to fight mobile spam

The new service will allow users to forward mobile spam messages to Cloudmark

Messaging security firm Cloudmark has announced a worldwide trial with the GSM Association (GSMA) to help mobile operators combat the growing problem of mobile spam.

The GSMA Spam Reporting Service is designed to give users the chance to alert their network operators by forwarding examples of spam to a new number set up for the project. The number is 7726, which spells out SPAM.

Stuart Paton, senior solution architect at Cloudmark, explained that the service offers mobile operators the chance to receive far more information on the spam threats to their networks.

"If users send us information about spam SMS and MMS they receive we can then provide detailed reports for mobile operators. This helps them to more effectively monitor the amount of spam on the network and react accordingly," he said.

Patton argued that many mobile operators have been unwilling to admit to a spam problem because they do not want users or new customers to perceive their networks as under threat.

"This new initiative gives all mobile operators across the globe the chance to step forward as one to sign up to the service we will be offering with the GSMA, and unite against this problem rather than sticking their neck out on their own," he said.

Neil Cook, head of technology services in Europe at Cloudmark, added that the initiative would help mobile operators prove to customers that they are proactively fighting the threats caused by mobile spam containing malicious URLs.

"With this information mobile operators can go to consumer and enterprise customers, who are now increasingly reliant on smartphones, and guarantee them a clean service which they are monitoring for malware," he said.

The GSMA Spam Reporting Service is being tested by several major mobile operators, and will be made available to all 800-plus members of the GSMA.