Symantec announced the availability of its Mobile AntiVirus 4.0 for Windows Mobile, developed to make PocketPCs and smartphones running on the Windows Mobile 5.0 platform. Symantec Mobile AntiVirus 4.0 for Windows Mobile automatically protects mobile devices from threats transmitted via e-mail and multimedia messaging service (MMS), downloaded from memory cards, the cell network and Wi-Fi, transmitted by Bluetooth or beamed over infrared connections.

Symantec Mobile AntiVirus 4.0 for Windows Mobile uses Symantec’s LiveUpdate Wireless service to automatically update threat protection signatures to ensure protection against new viruses, Trojans, and worms. Additionally, the centralized management feature enables administrators to configure, lock, and enforce security policies on the handset from a centralized console.

“Organizations developing a comprehensive security strategy have to include mobile devices as key endpoints that should be secured, just as they’re protecting their desktops and laptops,” said Paul Miller, managing director, mobile security at Symantec Corp. “Symantec has detailed mobile-style attacks such as Snoopware, which uses the smartphone’s microphone to listen in on important events like those found in the calendar, and Pranking4Profit, crimeware that uses premium-SMS to profit illegally. Protecting against these new risks needs to be fundamental to any security strategy.”

Symantec Mobile AntiVirus 4.0 for Windows Mobile is scheduled to be available on Nov. 17, 2006.