Trend Micro has a new version of its mobile security software out.  Rather imaginatively named Trend Micro Mobile Security 3.0, the additional feature of this version versus 2.0 of the same is that it brings to the party a firewall and intrusion detection software.  The previous version on the other hand was antivirus and antispam only.

“Faster download speeds in data-centric devices deliver cool new applications, web access and push email – all of which aid the “on the go” lifestyle of many people using devices such as Smartphone’s,” commented Raimund Genes, general manager of Trend Micro Incubation segment.  “However, the expanding popularity of Smartphone’s is likely to attract a growing malicious attackers looking to make a fraudulent profit.  While the threats we have so far identified have been limited in their abilities, Trend Micro is committed to improving our technology to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

This new version will only run on the latest Windows Mobile 5 and Symbian 9.1/S60 3rd Edition systems, though the Symbian edition will really only be out in 2007.  The Windows Mobile 5.0 (Pocket PC and Smartphone) version is available immediately with pricing beginning at $34.95 per device. Trend Micro press release can be found here.

Our Take:

As usual, we are not satisfied with a mere press release and the promise of a product being as useful as it should.  We took a long hard look beneath the hood and studied the actual specifications and white papers available.  We also did a quick spin of the product by taking up the offer of a free trial here.

Upon closer examination, the product essentially composes of the following 3 components

• Real-time Antivirus Scanning
• Antispam
• Built-in Firewall (New)

To get to the point, the main purpose of the product - which is antivirus detection and mitigation, is practically useless at the moment. Now, it is not because the product is poor in anyway; in fact the entire installation experience was flawless, and the user-interface was excellent and pretty to look at.  Its Achilles heel is really for the lack of any real threats to protect against - there are only definitions for 6 viruses available so far.

Where Antispam is concerned, note that it is really a white/black list of mobile numbers to filter out. No doubt occasionally useful against your ex-girlfriend or a very angry supplier.  Generally though, we doubt it will see much practical use.

Now, not all is lost yet.  What we really liked was the built-in firewall.  We are still in the process of testing it out, but if it works very similar to Windows XP’s new built-in firewall.  You are able to define the exact TCP/IP rules to enforce, filtering down to allowed destination/source IP addresses as well as individual or range of port numbers.

Is it a product worth acquiring? Generally we would say no, not at the moment anyway.  Having said that however, for some of us, it might be just what the doctor ordered if you want an on-board firewall as well as its antispam features.

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