F-Secure protects Swisscom's smartphone customers

Feb 14, 2005:

Swisscom, the Switzerland's leading mobile communications provide, and F-Secure Corporation [HEX: FSC], a leading provider of antivirus and security software, today announced that F-Secure Mobile Antivirus is integrated in the Mobile Assistant Qtek 9090 pocket PC of Swisscom Mobile's new product line for Windows Mobile devices. The antivirus service is a part of Swisscom’s new Mobile Assistant service package introduced today to Swisscom customers using Windows Mobile based smartphones.

Given the first virus incidents, the users of mobile devices have reason to be concerned about the security of their devices, but they should not be troubled with security more than is necessary. Mobile operators are the natural antivirus service providers for phone users.

The new service is targeted for Swisscom’s corporate customers, and it is available through the retail channel and Swisscom Shops immediately as a part of the Swisscom product line for smartphones and PCs. At the first stage, the antivirus service is offered to the users of Pocket PC devices. Later, the service will be expanded to support also other smartphones.

“Customers value reliability when selecting the operator, and security of services is a key distinctive factor between mobile operators. A smartphone antivirus service provided the mobile operator is the most convenient way for the corporate users to get the required protection, especially in small and medium size enterprises and among self-employed people,” said Antti Vihavainen, Director, Mobile Operator Solutions, of F-Secure Corporation.

True mobility is driven by convenience. Modern smartphones demonstrate the value of mobility at its best. They are already used in many companies as an alternative for laptop computers. The downside is that they also raise some new security concerns that need to be addressed.

In providing the required security level for the users of mobile terminals, critical aspects are ease of use and the timeliness of updates. Innovative and advanced solutions and business and service models with over-the-air update mechanisms will be necessary to ensure that moving devices are protected at all times.

Mobile security has been a focus area of F-Secure for years. The company today has content security solutions available for both mobile terminals and mobile infrastructure. F Secure Mobile Anti-Virus, which provides on-device protection for mobile terminals, is the world’s first mobile operator antivirus service. F Secure Mobile Anti-Virus is also available to phone users through mobile phone manufacturers and F Secure eStore.

About F-Secure Corporation

F-Secure Corporation is the fastest growing company globally in the antivirus and intrusion prevention industry with more than 50% revenue growth in the first nine months of 2004. F-Secure services and software protect individuals and businesses against computer viruses and other threats coming through the Internet or mobile networks. Our award-winning solutions include antivirus and desktop firewall with intrusion prevention, antispam and antispyware solutions. Our key strength is our proven speed of response to new threats. For businesses our solutions feature a centrally managed and well integrated suite of solutions for workstations and servers alike. Focused partners offer security as a service for those companies that do not wish to build security expertise in-house. Founded in 1988, F-Secure has been listed on the Helsinki Exchanges since 1999. We have our headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, and offices in USA, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Japan. F-Secure is supported by a global ecosystem of service partners, value added resellers and distributors in over 50 countries. F-Secure protection is also available through mobile handset manufacturers such as Nokia and as a service through major Internet Service Providers, such as Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom and Charter Communications. The latest real-time virus threat scenario news are available at the F-Secure Antivirus Research Team weblog at http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/

For more information, please contact:

F-Secure Corporation
Matias Impivaara, Director, Mobile Security Services
Pl 24
00181 Helsinki, Finland
Tel  +358 9 2520 5318
Fax +358 0 2520 0700