Symantec launches Norton Smartphone Security

Symantec Corp. has announced the launch of Norton Smartphone Security, a consumer mobile security offering providing a solution for both the Windows Mobile and Symbian OS in one product.

This new product features Norton AntiVirus technology as well as a firewall and antispam for SMS (Short Message Service). Symantec designed Norton Smartphone Security to provide mobile users the same level of security that has become standard for laptops and other computing devices.

“Smartphones are expanding consumer freedom to communicate and access important information anytime, anywhere,” said Rowan Trollope, senior vice president, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec. “However, unsecure public WiFi or network connections can put users at risk. In addition, Web and e-mail viruses can directly infect smartphones, enabling hackers to remotely control the device, access sensitive information or disable applications. Norton Smartphone Security runs discreetly in the background, providing the confidence and peace of mind to engage in everyday activities like e-mailing, Web browsing or banking online from these handheld devices.”

In a U.S. survey of smartphone users conducted by Applied Research, 34 percent of respondents said they access their bank accounts via their mobile device and 54 percent of respondents said they access Web sites that require a password. As more users transact using their mobile devices, the financial incentives for virus writers and mobile hackers will follow.

The company says Norton Smartphone Security gives consumers the tools to safeguard against the latest mobile threats and points out that Gartner, Inc. estimates that by 2008, smartphones will overtake laptops in volume on a worldwide basis. With increasing adoption rates, cybercriminals will be motivated to shift their attention and take advantage of smartphone vulnerabilities.

Norton Smartphone Security is a subscription-based offering available now for purchase through the Symantec online store. Additionally, it will soon be available at various retail locations and online retailers.