Protecting your smart phone from viruses

If you're one of the 80 million Americans with a smart phone, you should know they can be attacked by the same viruses that can plague your computer.

"Early Show" tech expert Katie Linendoll said, contrary to popular opinion that the laptop is very important, she thinks the smart phone is the most powerful tech device now.

"It's on us 24/7," she said. "The amount of information and data and contacts that we have on here are a gold mine. Thirty five percent of adults are using a smart phone, and that number is growing exponentially. So yes, we need to be a lot more careful."

And just as the amount of users grows, Linendoll says, the problem is also growing -- at an exponential rate.

So what can you do to protect your phone?

Linendoll suggests smart phone users download apps only from trusted sources.

"You have to say, 'Is this a reputable company? What are the reviews? How many people have downloaded it?"'

In addition, some phones are more susceptible than others. Android devices are, Linendoll said, much more at risk than, for instance, Apple products, because Android software can be easily modified. According to Lookout, a mobile security firm, three-out-of-10 Android owners are likely to encounter a Web-based threat on their device each year.

Linendoll said, "So the Android user, what do you do? You download Lookout. It's a free mobile security app. For $30 a year, you get premium service. There's tracking devices. If you lose your phone, you can wipe your data remotely. It will protect you from spyware and any malware that comes into your device."