Symbian S60 3rd edition and viruses?

[evie]

They have annouced that it's more virus free than the previous versions. Is this true? What does it bases on?

How about firewall in a cellphone? What does it do? (I understand if you use WLAN but for example only GPRS does it even matter?)

Does 3rd edition phones include virus protection and firewall or do you need to download those from somewhere? Nokia is telling about firewalls and virus protections in their web sites but I think that Nokia phones don't automaticly inclune ones?

I have virus protection in my Gage but this firewall thing is new to me I've heard such ones, but never for example seen one myself. Does the firewall need to be on at all times (like in computer)
How well it's possible to compare phones and computers firewalls and virus protections? They work same ways tough?

[Xanubius™]

On the 3rd edition is Symantec Virus Protection and firewall included.

[Xanubius™]

F-Secure Anti-Virus
15-Jul-2005 | English
F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus is a fully automatic security solution that offers transparent real-time protection against harmful content locally on the mobile phone. The solution consists of antivirus software for mobile terminals and a hosted update service with over-the-air antivirus updates. This software is available in English, Finnish, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Learn more and download the antivirus software with one month's free antivirus update service at F-Secure's Web site >>

Code: Select all

http://www.europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,,48238,00.html?url=http://mobile.f-secure.com/nokia/n90/

[evie]

On the 3rd edition is Symantec Virus Protection and firewall included.

Oh, I see. Thanks for info, Ill check that link out right away
Wow, in finnish too! (Well, it's Nokia, duh)
Still, I prefer all my phonesettings in english

[CALVIN]

They have annouced that it's more virus free than the previous versions. Is this true? What does it bases on?

Yes, you're right! In Symbian OS v9.0 onwards, symbian had considered its security feature.

Well, Symbian is "eclipsing" its new executable format which means where the loader loads DLLs located on a higher order drive (e.g. C drive) to dynamically replace files on the firmware (Z drive).

Therefore, "skulls trojan" attacks no longer function in Symbian OS v9.0 onwards. It's very obvious that Symbian had impoved their security feature.

Anyway, how is the future Symbian malware looks like? How is it working? How does it attack? etc is still very interesting for researcher like us to find it out. Let's see what happen in the future then!

How about firewall in a cellphone? What does it do? (I understand if you use WLAN but for example only GPRS does it even matter?)

Well, the "Firewall" feature in Symantec Mobile AV is to protect the NETWORK which include Bluetooth Network, Wireless LAN, GPRS, EDGE, 3G or Packet Data service to prevent any incoming suspicious file that might attack your phone system if alert has not been taken.

For now, I just notice Symantec Firewall feature is only useful for protecting bluetooth network only.

I have virus protection in my Gage but this firewall thing is new to me I've heard such ones, but never for example seen one myself. Does the firewall need to be on at all times (like in computer)
How well it's possible to compare phones and computers firewalls and virus protections? They work same ways tough?

Yes, it's recomended to turn on the Firewall feature to secure your phone.

Well, we can't compare much between Computer and mobile phone security feature as Computer malware covered a very wide range of different types of attacks!

To date, none of any Symbian malware that capable to infecting the device without user autorisation to pass the "Security Warning" before a suspicious file is being installed into the phone. Unlike computers malware, it attacks in many way which Firewall is a MUST in every computer nowadays.

[CALVIN]

Does 3rd edition phones include virus protection and firewall or do you need to download those from somewhere? Nokia is telling about firewalls and virus protections in their web sites but I think that Nokia phones don't automaticly inclune ones?

Try to view the news I had posted below:

Nokia to inoculate phones with antivirus
By Alorie Gilbert
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: October 5, 2005, 1:06 PM PDT

Nokia has entered a pact with Symantec to help secure its mobile phones from viruses that target certain kinds of handsets.

Under the agreement, announced Wednesday, Nokia plans to arm its Series 60 smart phones with the Symantec Mobile Security antivirus program. The software is designed to ward off attacks that could compromise the extensive data, such as contact databases, that people store on their smart phones, the companies said. The devices typically have many computer-like features, including e-mail and Web browsing, which have made them vulnerable to attacks.

Cell phone virus outbreaks are a small but emerging threat, security experts have said. Security specialists F-Secure and Trend Micro, which develop antivirus software for handsets, claim the malicious code is proliferating. Yet research firm Gartner recently predicted that a fast-spreading phone virus or worm is unlikely to appear before 2008.

Nokia series 60 handsets running the Symbian operating system are the target of the CommWarrior Trojan horse, which has been spotted spreading.

Nokia and Symantec said their agreement follows two years of joint work to develop mobile security technology. Earlier this year, software maker Kaspersky Lab released its own mobile antivirus software.

Well, since NOKIA had inoculated with Symantec AV company, thus in Symbian OS v9.0 device onwards. I think there will be 1 year FREE virus defination updates bundle together with the phone if I not mistaken.

P/S: You have asked a very "High-Class" question. Keep on posting! Just ask only and every member in Symbian Freak will be very kind to help you out!

[Apocalypso]

Wow, that was detailed answer, nice job Calvin

[cheerforit]

Ya, very detailed..
Still trying to understand more...

[CALVIN]

Wow, that was detailed answer, nice job Calvin

Thanks APOC and Cheerforit.

Well, I feel much more comfortable living in SF forum. Here every member are very kind, very respect to each other, very cooperative with our moderator and of course, I also learning from day to day.

Thanks to Evie because Evie had asked a very good question which other can also learn from it.

Cheers!

[evie]

Thanks to Evie because Evie had asked a very good question which other can also learn from it.

Gee, thanks
I starred wondering the same thing on the other day and I tought that people must be just mostly pissed for me to always keep asking questions But yeah, I just wanna learn stuff, so I can help others as well