Kaspersky Lab Releases Kaspersky(R) Anti-Virus Mobile.

Full scale protection guards against unwanted messages, mobile spam and malicious mobile programs

SAN FRANCISCO -- Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions, today announced Kaspersky([R]) Anti-Virus Mobile, a product that protects mobile phones using Symbian and Windows Mobile operating systems (smartphones) against mobile malware. Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile is a fully functional, integrated security solution that protects smartphones from malicious programs and unsolicited SMS/MMS messages, and this latest version now includes a range of new technologies and features that improve the program's performance and make it more user-friendly.

"As smartphones gain broader acceptance and become a more integral way of conducting business, they also become targets for mobile malware writers and hackers," said Steve Orenberg, president, Kaspersky Lab, Inc. "Although today's threats are relatively isolated, the future consequences of mobile malware should be a factor in how people consider using these devices."

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile uses a combination of real-time antivirus protection and on-demand scanning to protect against threats, and also provides protection from unwanted SMS/MMS messages by blacklisting undesirable phone numbers. Real-time antivirus protection monitors wireless connections and scans EMS/MMS messages, as well any data received from a PC during synchronization. Its flexible settings allow the user to view the phone's antivirus status as well as the event log, which records all actions performed by the program.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile includes an antivirus database update feature which ensures that the smartphone is protected against the latest malicious programs. Updates can either be installed automatically by a built-in scheduler, or on demand. Database updates are downloaded via WAP or HTTP from Kaspersky Lab servers. Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile takes advantage of advanced features available in today's smartphones: the device's built-in web browser can be used to download updates and view information about any malicious programs detected.

Compared to previous versions of mobile phone protection systems, the new-generation solution offers significantly enhanced functionality based on a much more extensive set of tools that process scanned objects and protect from IT threats. Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile includes a number of previously unavailable features, such as scanning of individual objects (files or folders) and isolation of infected objects in quarantine storage to prevent deletion of important information. The antivirus protection has become even more reliable due to the feature of unpacking and scanning the contents of .sis files, which are often used by cybercriminals for distributing malicious code. Optimization of the product's antivirus engine also results in higher performance levels.

Smartphone users will appreciate the pioneering anti-spam component of Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile. The anti-spam module protects the user from mass mailing/advertising distributed via SMS/MMS. For maximum convenience, the anti-spam module has three predefined operating modes with different filtering levels: 'Enable', 'B/W Lists Only' and 'Disable'.

In the 'Enable' mode the anti-spam module filters incoming messages based on the blacklist and the whitelist, which are compiled by the user. When a message is received from a telephone number that is on neither list, the anti-spam module prompts the user to block or allow the message, and then to add the sender number to one of the lists. In this mode the anti-spam module operates as a personal SMS/MMS filter that ensures that the user receives only the messages that are allowed. In the 'B/W Lists Only' mode the system filters incoming messages based only on the data from the blacklist and the whitelist. Messages from numbers that are on neither list are received without prompting the user. Finally, in the 'Disable' mode incoming messages are not filtered.

The product can be installed on smartphones that are based on Symbian operating system versions 6.x, 7.x, 8.x - Series 60, 80 or UIQ, or Windows Mobile 2003 (for Smartphones, Phone Edition) and 5.0.

Availability

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile will be available in North America during Q1, 2007 and will list for $29.95. For more information, go to www.kaspersky.com.

About Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Lab delivers the world's most immediate protection against IT security threats, including viruses, spyware, crimeware, hackers, phishing, and spam. Kaspersky Lab products provide superior detection rates and the industry's fastest outbreak response time for home users, SMBs, large enterprises and the mobile computing environment. Kaspersky[R] technology is also used worldwide inside the products and services of the industry's leading IT security solution providers. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com. For the latest on antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and other IT security issues and trends, visit www.viruslist.com.