Kaspersky Security 5.5 Released, But Is It Really Worth the Effort?

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.kaspersky.com/news?id=164110845' target='_blank'>http://www.kaspersky.com/news?id=164110845</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions, announces the release of a new version of protection for handheld devices and smartphones – Kaspersky Security for PDAs 5.5. This new version offers a range of upgrades and improvements, significantly extending the product's functionality. Kaspersky Security for PDAs protects data on handheld computers and smartphones. Kaspersky Anti-Virus technology optimized for pocket devices offers comprehensive protection for handhelds running PocketPC and Palm OS, and smartphones running Microsoft Smartphone 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone, and allows users to control access to stored data. The latest version of this solution comes with a new user-friendly interface. Virus detection and disinfection functions have been upgraded. The new antivirus monitor complements the existing functions by tracking application activity in real time, ensuring that malicious code cannot be executed. Updates to the antivirus databases can be downloaded automatically, meaning that the device is protected against even the newest threats."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050522-Kaspersky.jpg" /><br /><br />It's nice seeing mobile antivirus solutions being continually updated, but one cannot help but wonder whether it's all really worth the effort. There are only two widely-known viruses for the Pocket PC platform and both are hardly anything to worry about. Just to get my message across, I'll say it again - two! Weigh in by posting your thoughts. Is the supposed boom in mobile viruses, which has been hypothesised to hit us within the next year or two, very real, or is it just plain old hype?

[applejosh]

Does the software detect viruses/worms built for the x86 processor (eg. Windows XP), or does it only try to detect native PPC viruses (of which you said there were two)? If it detected x86 based viruses, then I could see some benefit (at least a little), but I sincerely doubt it does since the virus database would be quite hefty for installation on a PPC.

I've tried antivirus software on PPC's before, but they never last more than a day before I decide I can use that storage space more effectively. I don't download much to the PPC, and I have antivirus software on every computer I attempt to sync to, so I personally don't have a need yet.

[Raphael Salgado]

I saw a friend's Pocket PC who had Symantec AntiVirus on it. Out of curiosity, I looked at his virus definitions library and noticed 3 definitions. Three! I just had to laugh.

Hardly a threat at this point in time, and most people will probably want to download from "reputable" sites such as Handango and PocketGear. Although as a developer or partner on both sites, it's possible for anyone to create an account and immediately post a file for everyone to download.

[Ward]

FUD is a oft-employed sales tactic. PPC AVs started out free, now they cost money.

One born every minute.

[mv]

since these companies make benefits of virus existance, one could think...

[griph]

since these companies make benefits of virus existance, one could think...
My thoughts exactly. Wonder how long it will be?

[Jason Lee]

mobile viruses _will_ be a problem some day if more people start/continue to use mobile devices. the mobile viruses will, of course, target the device/os which the most people use. you don't see many mac viruses, they are most all windows. windows xp mind you. win98 is actually pretty safe to run now because alot of viruses no longer target/work on win 98.
that is why there are currently more symbian viruses that wince. look at the market share. the mobile viruses will target what ever device mr/mrs/miss john/joan q. public use.
so if ms's dream comes true and everyone and everything run wince then, yes, we are gonna have a huge virus problem some day.

i won't be installing antivirus software on my ppc anytime soon. i didn't have antivirus on my pc until around a year ago. i knew how viruses were spread and didn't do those things. but now just turning your computer on gets you infected.
right now i know how ppc viruses are spread and can avoid doing those things. so until i can get a virus just by turning on my ppc i will probably not use antivirus software.

[Gerard]

If one practices the most basic of precautions - a fresh backup before any software installation and at least one backup per day - then there is really nothing to worry about. 'Oh, but Sprite Backup costs money...' Yeah. Well so do a few AV softwares now. Which is better, healthy practices or a magical medicine which may or may not prevent the latest illness? I'll stick with backups.

[PiatekHS]

since these companies make benefits of virus existance, one could think...

I wouldn't be shocked.. Name another product where you can 'create the market' for your product (if you so wished)..

[ctitanic]

No everybody knows that out there are only 2 virus for Pocket PC and they are mostly a proof of concept, and by reading the news about this release these users can think that the Virus problem within the PPC world is as big as in the PC world. ;)

Again, out there are many other ways to waste your memory space ;)

[Deus]

I have not stood by PPC AntiVirus protection since the beginning. Frr applications, fine go for it. But a waste of money I say. Your money is better spent on a backup system. It is just to quick and easy to restore from backup. As someone said the existing virus' are proof of concept. The real virus' writers are out to make an impact. PPCs don't offer that much of a platform and constant connection to spread.

[kcrain]

It's obvious that viruses for mobile devices aren't quite a real danger yet, but we all should be honest. If it hasn't happened yet, fine, but it will happen. There are enough wackos out there that it will happen. When that time comes, that's when I'll decide to put more safety into my PPC. For now, we just need to be aware of the coming reality. I just appreciate companies who are trying to be forward thinking and precautionary, not just reactionary.

[Warwick]

I was writing a virus for Pocket PC, but when I started it up to debug it, it took over my PC and Pocket Pc and wiped everything. Then it took over my TV and made me watch episode after episode of "Mad about you".......
Ill never write code again....

Seriously though, I think it will happen eventualy, moreso when bluetooth kiosks are common place, and nasty shopkeepers go into battle by making the other shop send you a virus so you never shop there again!
By the time that sort of thing happens, all the big antivirus companies will have mobile versions, and Im sure there will be a range of free ones to choose from.

But not yet.