SecureData an ERP.com company and the exclusive sub-Saharan distributors of Trend Micro, a leading provider of network antivirus and content security for the Internet age, today announced the availability of free antivirus software for the most popular handheld mobile and wireless device platforms, including Palm OS, Windows CE, and Symbian EPOC.
Based on Trend Micro's award-winning PC-cillin (desktop antivirus software, PC-cillin for Wireless resides on Palm OS, Pocket PC (Windows CE), and EPOC handheld devices to protect users from potentially malicious code including viruses, scripts, Trojan horses, and worms. Devices are susceptible to these threats whenever they: receive email, browse the Web, or receive information via beaming and synching.
Device users can easily download, install and use PC-cillin for Wireless to help ensure that their devices are protected from all known wireless malicious code threats. In addition, corporations with employees using these wireless devices should encourage them to download and use PC-cillin for Wireless. PC-cillin for Wireless provides organisations with an extra layer of protection to defend their networks against this latest potential virus entry-point.
The release of Trend Micro's PC-cillin for Wireless is the latest offering from Trend Micro enabling organisations to implement complete multi-layered virus protection, and is only the latest in a series of steps that Trend Micro is taking to provide complete protection for both the wired and wireless network. Last year, when the first wireless malicious code threats appeared, Trend Micro updated its entire line-up of network and consumer virus protection products to include detection for all known wireless malicious code. TrendLabs, Trend Micro's 24x7 global antivirus research and support centre, continues to research wireless malicious code threats to ensure that Trend Micro is providing the most up-to-date protection possible.
Wireless threats on the rise
The popularity of handheld wireless devices has already resulted in several "proof of concept" attacks on these devices. The world press covered these localised incidents including "Phage", "911", "Vapor" and Palm.Liberty.A - the first known Trojan horse designed to erase the memory of Palm devices. While these events were not widespread or particularly successful, they prove that hackers are looking to exploit security weaknesses in these increasingly popular platforms.
By the year 2003, International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates there will be 19 million handheld devices in use throughout the world. Combined with the increased functionality due to be included in wireless devices over the next 6-9 months, the potential for a successful malicious code attack targeting these devices is high. Respected industry analysts predict that more significant wireless device attacks are likely to occur by the end of 2001. Updated versions of the OS, additional applications, and application functionality increase the usefulness of wireless devices but also increase the potential for new and dangerous threats as well.
PC-cillin for Wireless
To help protect against this emerging threat, Trend Micro today unveiled free wireless device protection for the popular Palm OS, Pocket PC and Symbian EPOC platforms provided by Palm, Microsoft and Symbian respectively.
User benefits include:
Familiar User Interface - Device-specific design provides the look and feel of wireless applications already in use offering comprehensive control with a minimal learning curve.
On-Demand Scanning - Each supported wireless device has its own antivirus scanner than can be called upon anytime, anywhere to check for potential threats when they are first received.
Easy Maintenance - Product and virus pattern file updates are easily accomplished using device standard procedures, making it easy for users to keep protection up-to-date.
Minimal Footprint - PC-cillin for Wireless strikes a perfect balance between providing effective security and efficiently using limited memory resources.
"Trend Micro has a history of being the first to tackle the unique challenges of new computing environments as evidenced by our pioneering and patenting of antivirus security technology for email and Internet systems," said Wayne Biehn, Sales Director - SecureData. "After Trend updated their desktop, email, and Internet gateway products last year to protect both the device and the network from existing wireless threats, this device-based solution is the next step in their multi-stage strategy to secure devices today and as they evolve."
Availability and support
For a limited time, Trend Micro is offering PC-cillin for Wireless as a free download to the general public through its Web site at http://www.trendmicro.co.uk/wireless As with the many other free community services Trend Micro offers, including HouseCall for PC's, Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes, support is provided at Trend Micro's Web site, free of charge.
Trend Micro is also offering PC-cillin for Wireless updates to users free of charge. Users can subscribe at Trend Micro's Web site to have free security update notifications sent to their PC or wireless device. In addition, corporate customers can include PC-cillin for Wireless under their Premium Support contract.
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SecureData
SecureData, an ERP.com company, is a Managed Security Service Provider. SecureData is the exclusive sub-Saharan Distributors of Trend Micro, providing enterprise-wide, centrally managed, server-based, virus protection, e-mail filtering and Internet filtering products and services. Concern about Internet Safety has created a vigorous and growing market for content security products and services. Today, e-mail attachments account for over 50% of virus infections, and web-based malicious mobile code (vandals) is widely thought to be the predominant content threat of the near future. SecureData, brings sub-Saharan Africa the tools that build anti-virus and content security protection into the Internet and Mail/Groupware infrastructure.