Symantec brings security suite to mobile devices

RETHINK Wireless [ ] 2010-05-28

Symantec brings security suite to mobile devices

Follows rival McAfee onto the smartphone with Norton Everywhere Just days after rival McAfee bought into the mobile security market, Symantec has announced Norton Everywhere, an extension of its platform for non-PC devices, particularly smartphones. The company has released the suite of tools initially for Android and iPhone, with other operating systems to follow. It is also targeting the rising variety of devices connected to the internet using Wi-Fi, such as tablets, media players and the iPod Touch. Included in the new portfolio are mobile versions of familiar PC apps such as Norton Antivirus, as well as some modules specifically for new devices. Antivirus is initially for Android only and will detect malware as well as scanning gadgets and alerting users to suspicious behavior. Norton Mobile will be available in beta release in June, and Android is its key target despite the creation of an iPhone version, because it is a more open - and therefore potentially vulnerable - platform. While Apple uses a closed software distribution model based on App Store, Android phones can take software from outside the Marketplace - from the web, third party stores, email attachments and so on. Dan Nadir, director of product management for Symantec, commented to ConnectedPlanet: "Android is more open than other platforms. There's more potential for something to go wrong." Among the facilities of Norton Mobile are a call blocking service, a blacklist for suspicious apps detected in Google or third party stores, and an option that allows customers to access any files stored in Norton's Online Backup and Norton 360 cloud storage services. Called Norton Connect, its users can download files directly to the device or share them with others by creating network emails with secure links to the files. Symantec is also providing a remote security solution, which will wipe or lock a smartphone if it is lost or stolen.