Symantec to launch Windows Mobile security suite

Symantec is to launch a mobile security suite for Windows Mobile devices which it says will offer the same levels of security for handhelds as is standard on PCs and laptops.

While the security firm already has a mobile antivirus product, Symantec Mobile Security Suite 5.0 will include antivirus, firewall, data encryption and an enterprise management console for IT administrators.

The suite, due for release in May, will also offer an add-on to let users connect to corporate networks through IPSec VPN tunnels, and network access control so IT administrators can make sure that only the right devices are connecting to the corporate network.

Administrators will be able to use the suite to enable or disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and device syncing, and verify whether or not the device's security applications have been tampered with.

The issue of mobile security has proved controversial in the past with accusations that mobile threats are over-hyped.

A consumer version of the enterprise Mobile Security Suite, called Norton Mobile Security, will also be released in May and will include many of the enterprise version's elements, with the exception of its VPN capabilities.