Tech Shout!

Symantec Corp. has released the Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds Corporate Edition 3.5, a virus protection solution created to protect wireless devices running on Palm OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile and Pocket PC platforms.

Available now as a license to enterprise customers, Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds Corporate Edition 3.5 helps protect corporate assets and guards against the potential spread of malicious code downloaded from the Web, email or a Wi-Fi connection, or beamed via Bluetooth or infrared ports.

The company said that with new configuration management capabilities using Symantec Client Security with the Symantec System Center console, IT organisations can develop their overall corporate security position with greater control over securing wireless devices accessing sensitive company data.

Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds Corporate Edition 3.5 allows secure mobile computing via on-device, real-time scanning and alerting of potential security threats. Flexible on-demand, scheduled and automatic scan options give continuous, up-to-date virus definitions via Wireless LiveUpdate for virus removal, repair and the deleting of infected files.

The 3.5 version also enables customers using Symantec Client Security installed with the Symantec System Center console to easily install a plug-in to manage configurations and policy enforcement over mobile devices. Additionally, support is now available for all Windows Mobile platforms, with the exception of Windows Smartphone, in addition to all PocketPC and Palm OS platforms.

Vice president of mobile and wireless solutions, Symantec Corp., Sarah Hicks said, “Wireless technology has changed the way we conduct business, offering mobile workers constant access to business-critical applications and data.” Hicks added, “While this flexibility expands productivity, it introduces complexity and security risk as wireless devices become a new target for hackers looking to infiltrate a corporate network. Our award winning virus protection offers a centralized management console to lock down this new attack vector to ensure enterprise-wide security.”

The Mobility Awards which honour the best and finest mobile computing and wireless data communications products and services conferred the 2006 Mobility Award to Symantec for its commitment to protect mobile devices. The security giant said that its selection in the security category highlights the value of its approach to protecting handheld-resident data against mobile malware threats.