Nokia and Symantec join forces to fight mobile viruses |
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Fri, 07 Oct 2005 11:35
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Symantec will provide its Mobile Security Software to Nokia’s Series 60 Symbian-based smartphones. Both the firms are all set to wage a war for against mobile viruses and worms which are making their way into smartphones.
The software will protect smartphones from mobile malware, viruses, worms and Trojans. It has an AutoProtect feature which runs all the time scouring for malicious code in text messages and e-mail files accessed through Internet.
The software also lets users manually scan applications. There is a built-in firewall in place to block suspicious incoming and outgoing messages, mails etc. Also, there is a provision to download software through the phone.
As more personal data and other confidential details are being stored these days on the mobile phones, these devices are prone to malware threat risks, according to Sarah Hicks, vice president of Symantec’s mobile and wireless solutions at Symantec.
According to Nokia Technology’s Director, Matti Vänskä, "This is another step in our aim to bring the most advanced security features into Series 60-based devices,"
Symantec's software was installed also on the Nokia N70 smartphone and the Communicator devices of 9300 and 9500. Symbian, of late, has become a target for hackers when it was bombarded with CommWarrior Trojan horse. So Nokia decided to preinstall security software on its new Series.
Meanwhile, security companies like F-Secure and Trend Micro have reported that malicious code is propagating at a fast pace.
However, many security professionals say it will take time before mobile viruses become a serious issue as the number of smartphone users are still in a minority. Gartner, the major technology research firm, also foresees that deadly mobile phone viruses or worms are unlikely to affect cell phones before 2008.
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