Symantec Protects Wireless Users With New 2004 Antivirus for PCs and
Handhelds
Symantec expands threat detection to include spyware, adware and hacking
tools
SYDNEY --NSW - August 26, 2003 -- Symantec, the world leader in Internet
security, today announced Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds, offering
protection against viruses for Palm OS-compatible and Microsoft Pocket PC
handheld devices, enabling a secure wireless environment for users.
Releasing at the same time is Norton AntiVirus 2004, featuring expanded
threat detection capabilities to help protect users from emerging non-virus
security hazards such as spyware and hacking tools.
Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds
According to Gartner Dataquest, more than 20 million handheld computers have
been sold during the past five years globally. Industry experts estimate
that only about one per cent of the more than 20 million handheld computers
sold during the past five years currently has any virus protection, so users
are exposed to great potential risk.
"Wireless security is becoming a major concern for both consumers and
enterprises as the uptake of handheld devices increases, " said Norman
Kohlberger, Symantec's Senior Regional Product Manager for Asia Pacific. .
"Security for these devices is essential so that the PCs to which they
connect are safeguarded against viruses and malicious code. Symantec
AntiVirus for Handhelds provides this protection by securing the critical
point of entry thereby strengthening overall security at both the enterprise
and personal computing environments.
Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds resides on the mobile device and protects
Pocket PCs and Palm OS-based handhelds against viruses, worms and other
malicious threats. Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds is first installed on a
desktop PC; application files for the Palm or Pocket PC are then installed
on the handheld during the next synchronisation. The antivirus micro-engine
installed on the handheld is based on Symantec's award-winning antivirus
engine. This micro-engine runs virus scans on the handheld, quickly
detecting viruses that attempt to execute on the device and ensuring
effective endpoint protection for home offices and enterprise environments.
For increased security and flexibility, Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds
supports both real-time and on-demand scans. Real-time scans are provided
through AutoProtect, which runs continuously in the background to constantly
protect the handheld against new virus attacks. AutoProtect prevents
infected files from being saved to the device; if a malicious application is
already present on the device, AutoProtect alerts the user before the
application is launched. On-demand scans enable the user to manually scan
all applications on the handheld. Expansion cards can also be scanned on
demand or in real time.
Comprehensive logs provide users with important information about the status
of their protection against viruses, as well as their product configuration.
Users can quickly access a log of partial and full scans, found viruses,
deleted and undeleted infected files, and virus definition update history.
Norton AntiVirus 2004
Norton AntiVirus 2004 expands on the traditional virus scanning capabilities
found in previous versions to now offer users protection against more than
just viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. New features include:
- Scans for spyware, adware, key loggers, and other hacking
tools that can be used to compromise the security of a system, spy on the
user's private data, or track users' online behaviour
- Users of Windows 2000 and Windows XP are protected from
viruses lurking in compressed files - the type of files commonly exchanged
via peer-to-peer networks or instant messaging
- A product activation component to protect users from pirated
or counterfeit software.
"The reality of the Internet today is that non-virus security threats, such
as spyware and adware, are emerging at alarming rates. The average online
user now commonly accumulates an abundance of these new threats as part of
everyday Web surfing activity," said Norman Kohlberger. "These non-virus
threats which are undetectable by conventional antivirus solutions, install
themselves and work in the background of the system without the user's
knowledge. With these new threats becoming more frequent, Symantec has
expanded the threat detection capabilities of Norton AntiVirus 2004 so that
it proactively seeks and destroys virus and non-virus threats to keep online
users' information safe and secure."
Like its predecessors, Norton AntiVirus 2004 automatically protects against
both inbound and outbound online threats at all points of entry. Unlike
other antivirus products, Norton AntiVirus 2004 helps ensure maximum
protection with minimum user effort by installing with all key protection
settings and technologies active by default, including real-time scanning,
automatic updating, and sophisticated heuristics. Additionally, while other
products typically scan only specified types of files, Norton AntiVirus 2004
automatically scans all files for malicious code, and automatically removes
viruses, worms, and Trojan horses without requiring user intervention.
Norton AntiVirus 2004 also now includes the ability to detect viruses in
compressed file archives, offering users of popular file-exchange services,
such as instant messaging and peer-to-peer networks, protection from sending
or receiving infected data or folders.
Norton AntiVirus 2004 is also offered in a professional edition, which
includes the capabilities of the standard version, as well as a data
recovery component that helps users restore files that were damaged or
accidentally deleted, as well as a data-cleaning component that digitally
shreds deliberately deleted files to permanently remove them. In addition,
to help protect households and home offices with more than one PC, Norton
AntiVirus 2004 Professional includes a two-computer licence.
Norton AntiVirus and Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds both make use of
Symantec's Automatic LiveUpdate which checks for new antivirus updates
whenever the user is online. Automatic LiveUpdate unobtrusively downloads
these updates in the background to minimise disruptions. In conjunction
with Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds, LiveUpdate automatically downloads
virus definition updates for the device to the desktop when available, then
transfers the updates to the handheld the next time the device is
synchronised. Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds also introduces Wireless
LiveUpdate, which enables users with a wireless Internet connection -
regardless of protocol - to download device-specific virus definitions and
Symantec product updates directly to the handheld over the Web.
Pricing and Availability
Norton AntiVirus 2004 and Norton AntiVirus 2004 Professional will be
available in September for an estimated retail price of AUD$99.95 and
AUD$129.95, respectively. Prices include a one-year subscription to
Symantec's protection updates.
Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds will be available for purchase at retail
stores in September 2003. Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds will be offered
as an annual renewable subscription service to home users at an estimated
retail price of AUD$79.95. This service provides regular product updates as
well as virus definition updates. As a result, subscribers are assured of
having the most up-to-date software, the most current protection against
viruses, and uninterrupted compatibility with the latest Palm and Pocket PC
operating systems. When the subscription period ends and virus protection
terminates, users simply renew their subscription.
About Symantec
Symantec, the world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad
range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to
individuals, enterprises and service providers. The company is a leading
provider of client, gateway and server security solutions for virus
protection, firewall and virtual private network, vulnerability management,
intrusion detection, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote
management technologies and security services to enterprises and service
providers around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security
products is a leader in worldwide retail sales and industry awards.
Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 36
countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com.au
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