Spansion, a flash memory chip maker, plans to fight mobile phone viruses and data theft with new security technology it puts right into its chips, the company said Tuesday.The company plans to beef up protection by adding a mobile security chip to the embedded flash memory chip package it offers to wireless handset makers, the Spansion Multi Chip Package. The chip uses a range of encryption, authentication, random number generation and other security features to ward off hackers, malware or thieves attempting to hijack a financial transaction or a user’s service. It’s also designed to back up data for speedy recovery.The new chip will add a level of security to devices because it’s in with the memory, exactly where user data is stored. It’s also a hardware system, not a layer of software added onto a handset, which is generally more difficult for thieves to tap into. Spansion says the hardware protection spans multiple zones of memory, such as separate, secured areas for the user, the operator, for content rights objects and for the handset manufacturer.If the chips stand up to time and hacker tests, they could encourage users to make more financial transactions with their handsets, including Internet purchases, attending auctions on eBay or using their handset like a credit card. The company said its security chip can be used with any OS or chipset, and a wide price range of handsets. It will be available to handset developers in the first half of next year.The security chip will include a mechanism to lock a mobile phone’s SIM card and render a phone useless if it’s stolen. It will also ensure a phone continues to operate even if it has been infected with a virus by preserving the OS and data inside. For users looking for their mobile phone to replace their wallet, the chip will also add security for financial transactions and contactless payment in stores. — Dan Nystedt, IDG News Service (Taipei Bureau)Related Link: Mastering Mobile MadnessCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content brandpost Sponsored by SAP When natural disasters strike Japan, Ōita University’s EDiSON is ready to act With the technology and assistance of SAP and Zynas Corporation, Ōita University built an emergency-response collaboration tool named EDiSON that helps the Japanese island of Kyushu detect and mitigate natural disasters. By Michael Kure, SAP Contributor Dec 07, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by BMC BMC on BMC: How the company enables IT observability with BMC Helix and AIOps The goals: transform an ocean of data and ultimately provide a stellar user experience and maximum value. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 3 mins IT Leadership brandpost Sponsored by BMC The data deluge: The need for IT Operations observability and strategies for achieving it BMC Helix brings thousands of data points together to create a holistic view of the health of a service. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 4 mins IT Leadership how-to How to create an effective business continuity plan A business continuity plan outlines procedures and instructions an organization must follow in the face of disaster, whether fire, flood, or cyberattack. Here’s how to create a plan that gives your business the best chance of surviving such an By Mary K. Pratt, Ed Tittel, Kim Lindros Dec 07, 2023 11 mins Small and Medium Business IT Skills Backup and Recovery Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe