IT firm IBM has warned that malware targeting mobile devices is on the rise with the tripling of critical vulnerabilities this year compared to last year.

In its X-Force Trend and Risk Report, a twice-a-year statistical report on Internet security threats, IBM also revealed that the number of anonymous proxies quadrupled this year compared with three years ago, according to Computerweekly.com.

The IBM report cited the G Data Security Labs' findings tthat the number of smartphone and tablet malware increased 273 percent in the first semester of 2011 compared to the same period last year.

The IBM report attributed the malware rise to hackers' use of SQL injection attacks, and "whaling" or spear-phishing. Such attacks target company senior executives with access to critical data.

Mobile malware threats and critical vulnerabilities also rose because employees were allowed to use their personal smartphones and tablets to access corporate data and applications.

Hackers also target personal information through SMS.

IBM recommends that IT departments step up anti-malware and patch management software.

Meanwhile, web application vulnerabilities fell in the first half of 2011, the first time in five years, according to the same report. Likewise declining were levels of vulnerabilities in web browsers and spams.

The IBM X-Force Trend and Risk Report also provides statistical information software vulnerabilities and public exploitation, malware, spam, phishing, web-based threats, and general cyber criminal activity. The report is intended to help customers, fellow researchers, and the public at large understand the changing nature of the threat landscape and what might be done to mitigate it.