Symbian smartphones get virus protection

The suite, which also features SMS call blocking and data encryption, works with Arima, Benq, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Siemens, and Sony Ericsson devices-in other words, all smartphones based on the Symbian operating system.

The software is available via download to smartphone handsets. Once installed, it administers on-demand, user-initiated scans, but also incorporates a real-time monitor that works behind the scenes. An over-the-air distribution framework allows these applications to run without wires or PC synchronization.

Virus Guard is the first enterprise-grade application that specifically protects Symbian smartphones from viruses and other malicious code, FB-4 said. Last June, the Cabir worm was discovered to spread wirelessly via Bluetooth-enabled Symbian handsets. And last month's Mosquito Trojan, which also infects the Series 60 Symbian OS, masquerades as a game but sends out premium-rate SMS messages without the user's knowledge.

Virus Guard protects against these and other cyber threats, FB-4 said. The software works on all Series 60, Series 80, and UIQ Symbian platforms, and requires an annual subscription fee of $9.99.