08-27-2003, 11:00 AM
|
|
Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
|
|
So, Just What's AntiVirus For Handhelds Like?
Yesterday, Ed posted on Symantec's announcement about their new AntiVirus For Handhelds. Now that it's officially been launched, I found some of the feature details:
� Runs natively on Palm OS� and Pocket PC devices.
� Renewable annual service keeps you up to date with the latest virus protection updates, features, and OS compatibility upgrades.
� Auto-Protect provides real-time protection against malicious code�unobtrusively, in the background.
� Automatic scans can check for viruses after expansion card insertion or desktop synchronization.
� On-demand scans allow you to examine applications and files for viruses at any time you want.
� New virus protection updates are automatically transferred from your desktop computer the next time you synchronize your PDA.
� Wireless LiveUpdate� downloads new virus protection updates directly to your handheld when you have a direct wireless connection to the Internet.
� Logging capability provides vital information you need to take action against virus threats.
� Symantec� Security Response works 24 hours a day to discover and develop antidotes for new viruses.
The one-year service goes for $39.95 and can be bought directly from the Symantec site. Plus, there's a $20USD (or $30CDN) mail-in rebate for any "previous owners of a stand alone, retail (boxed or downloaded) version of any Norton,� Symantec,� or McAfee� software product."
I'm not really sure yet how badly I need this kind of a product, for some of the reasons discussed in Ed's thread. But, I'm also thinking that for a final price of $19.95, it's pretty inexpensive insurance.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 11:44 AM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 232
|
|
In 7 years of using both Palm & Pocket PC's i have never heard of, seen or recieved a virus on my mobile device. Has anyone seen one????? :|
This one just might be worth a poll!
Seems like the virus histeria is just going to be a cash cow for these vendors across all platforms now including the PPC
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 11:52 AM
|
|
Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by madbart
In 7 years of using both Palm & Pocket PC's i have never heard of, seen or recieved a virus on my mobile device.
|
You're right, and my ignorance about viruses makes me a prime target for the antivirus marketers. I guess I'm just afraid that what I don't know will hurt me.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 11:59 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 62
|
|
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if some "consultants" of these virus companies are releasing a few themselves.
Because of all this virus scare...i buckled and bought an anti-virus product from symantec. but it let thru all the sobig virus emails. so what does this product do??????????
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 12:17 PM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,468
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by snowlion
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if some "consultants" of these virus companies are releasing a few themselves.
Because of all this virus scare...i buckled and bought an anti-virus product from symantec. but it let thru all the sobig virus emails. so what does this product do??????????
|
OK - that first idea is just plain absurd. AV companies have no need to create viruses - there are plenty of morons to do that for them.
As for the second - no way on earth would Norton AV have let through the sobig virus if you have set it to update its virus definitions immediately on installation and then at regular intervals (they have won every AV test I've seen for years and almost always with a 100% detection rate). Since that piece of AV software explains all this very clearly during set-up then the sobig viruses getting through is someone's fault but it ain't Symantec's.
Oh - and if I sound particularly irritated - it is because it is those with no, or poorly configured, AV products who end up being responsible for the flood of virus ridden e-mails (set out from their computers) that my AV software has to waste so much time dealing with these days.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 12:34 PM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 574
|
|
IMHO, PocketPC's aren't that popular by virusmakers. I guess virusmakers focus on large platforms having many novice users that contact eachother very frequent, allowing virusses to spread easlily, making big headlines.
Removing one of these key elements will stop a virus from spreading very fast. This is also why Unix virusses are so rare.
PocketPC's don't talk to each other a lot in a direct way, so spreading the virus is a bit of a challenge. Things like network-connections are very infrequent, so they can't be dependend upon to spread the virus. PocketPC's mainly communicate with a host (laptop/desktop) using another operating system and another processor architecture. Besides this, PocketPC's are extremely hard to execute malicious code (Outlook does not even understand VB and Java). A virus that would spread on PocketPC would be extremely complex to adapt to these situations.
So making a virus that hurts PocketPC's won't spread like wildfire and probably will never make the headlines on international news. Making a virus for normal PC's is a lot easier and make much better headlines. So i guess as long as that's the case, were safe 
One thing to worry about IMHO is Trojans. They spread easily, and could cause some severy damage (hard-resets can be triggered from within applications  ). But that can be countered by only downloading software from trusted sources.
Jaap
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 12:36 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 214
|
|
I run AVG Antivirus from www.grisoft.com and it's kept me covered. It's free and checks email too. This is for the desktop.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 12:37 PM
|
|
Theorist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 300
|
|
I have never had problems with Viruses. Of course I use an Antivirus but this isn't enough. It is about the best practises in using computers. I never:
Download stuff from suspect sites
Open suspect Email Messages
Surf Suspect Sites
Accept to install applications that I do not trust
I never download plugins for IE
I also believe that Pocket PCs do not need an Antivirus solution at the moment. Of course that may change...
I would hate to have an Antivirus that would slow down my Pocket PC.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 12:37 PM
|
|
Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,734
|
|
The ast thing I need on my slow 400mhz system is some constantly running software examining every file operation and running process, slowing everything down, especially when there are no proven virusses, and the routes for contaminatin (e-mail and file transfers) are so much less relevant.
at those prices, its just a scam. Maybe in a few years time...
Anyways, it should be MS's responibility to make their very new, legacy free os as bullet proof as possible.
Surur
|
| |
|
|
|
08-27-2003, 01:05 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
|
|
Fear is a great marketing tool.
nuff said
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
