To help protect consumers from what is described as the increasing threat posed by mobile phone viruses, F-Secure has launched a mobile anti-virus solution available on the high street.
The product, it is claimed, provides consumers and small and medium-sized businesses with transparent real-time protection from mobile viruses.
The launch comes as an increasing number of virus writers start to turn their attention away from PCs and towards mobile phones, exploiting advances in technology that enable file sharing via the Web, Bluetooth and MMS, it is claimed. Viruses such as Commwarrior and Cabir can render a device unusable as well as cause false billing, the unwanted disclosure of stored information and the deletion, corruption and theft of data. Mobile Anti-Virus enables infected files to be quarantined before a virus has the chance to cause any damage to the phone, according to the firm. It does this by automatically scanning and intercepting all data, whether received over the web, MMS, blue tooth or via an inserted memory card. Other features of the product, the makers add, include automatic scanning of inserted memory cards, automatic detection of Internet connections and automatic anti-virus updates from F-Secure’s anti-virus research lab.
What they say
Richard Hales, country manager, UK & Ireland at F-Secure said: "As consumers and businesses increasingly adopt smart phones to help them carry out daily activities, the virus-writing community will continue to exploit new opportunities to cause havoc. People have started to realise that the threat from mobile malware is real as they experience the threat themselves or hear of problems from people around them. At F-Secure, we strive to anticipate such threats so that we can protect users before they reach the levels witnessed in the PC world. F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus does just that, and takes the burden of managing and updating security applications out of the users hands."
Product range
The makers add that the product supports a range of Nokia handsets and is available through retailers and mobile phone vendors in the UK from early September 2005. Pricing for a one year subscription is £24.95 including VAT.
