Protection from Viruses, Spam and Remote Attacks for Smartphones

Protection from Viruses, Spam and Remote Attacks for Smartphones Spam filter

For us, smartphone is one of the most useful technologies since the invention of the Morse code. Powerful operating systems like the OS X, Symbian OS, or Windows Mobile have turned the devices into advanced computers. Computers, however, are targets for virus and other attacks, as the Apple iPhone remote hijacking case has demonstrated. Fortunately, security software companies have created products to protect smartphones (except for the iPhone). About six months ago, F-Secure estimated that harmful software had infected about 100,000 mobile devices in Europe alone. Most of them were Trojan horses or worm applications. The numbers didn't include text message scams, or other shady practices that try to lure mobile phone users to subscribe to services they don't want. While it is very difficult to infect an ordinary mobile phone with a virus, or with any other malware application (because downloadable Java applications shouldn't get access to critical device resources at all), a smartphone can be infected. Security software companies, such as F-Secure, McAfee, Symantec, and Trend Micro have products available for smartphones, in addition to applications for PCs. The products make it possible to protect the precious Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson smartphones from malware. However, at the time of writing this, the Apple iPhone is still open to attacks via the Internet, unless latest software updates have been installed. This is simply because security products are not yet available for the device.

F-Secure Anti-Virus and Firewall Products for Mobile Devices

F-Secure is marketing two products; Mobile Anti-Virus and Mobile Security for smartphones. The Mobile Security product comes with firewall and virus protection. Especially, Wi-Fi capable smartphones that can access the Internet via hotspots are open to same type of attacks that have been a huge problem for PCs. The anti-virus feature automatically scans files for viruses when new items are received or saved. The virus-scanner monitors both the phone's internal memory space and memory cards. Anti-virus information and new software versions can automatically be updated to the phone. The product is compatible with Symbian OS/S60 3rd Edition smartphones.

The Mobile Anti-Virus application runs on Symbian OS/S60, Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 5, and Windows Mobile 6 Professional devices. The product automatically scans the phone memory and memory card for harmful applications and files. The Anti-Virus program can update itself for new virus definitions.

Trend Micro Mobile Security

The Trend Micro Mobile Security software comprises a firewall, spam blocker, virus scanner, and automatic updates. The firewall can monitor incoming and outgoing data traffic and block attacks from the Internet. The anti-virus component can be set to automatically scan files for harmful software. The anti-spam feature can block text messages from unknown senders.

The Trend Micro Mobile Security runs on Windows Mobile 6.0 (Professional, Classic, and Standard), Windows Mobile 5.0 (PocketP and Smartphone edition), and Symbian OS/S60 3rd Edition devices.

McAfee VirusScan Mobile

McAfee has packaged its security product for smartphones in a Triple Play package. Both the McAfee Total Protection and the Internet Security Suite products come with the VirusScan Mobile software for smartphones.

McAfee VirusScan Mobile is compatible with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone and Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition devices. The product can scan all received or saved files for viruses and remove infected items.

Symantec Norton Smartphone Security

The Symantec Norton Smartphone Security software can be installed to protect Windows Mobile 5 and 6, Symbian OS S60 Release 3, and Symbian OS UIQ Release 3 devices. The key features of the product are firewall, virus detection, and protection from suspicious text messages.

The application protects the smartphone against malicious programs received via the Internet, email, Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth, or infrared. The virus scanner can look for potentially harmful files saved on the phone. Firewall has been designed to prevent intrusions and denial-of-service attacks. A novel feature in the Norton Smartphone Security is SMS spam protection that can block text and MMS picture messages sent from unknown sources.

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