Press Release: Intego VirusBarrier X5 First Antivirus to Scan iPhone

by Eric March on July 19, 2008 at 11:48 pm

I suppose it was only a matter of time — we already saw (and unfortunately experienced the problems cause by) McAfee’s preliminary attempts at creating a virus scanner for the iPhone a couple of months back, but nothing official ever came of it. Now it seems Mac developer Intego is having a go at this untapped (and possibly unnecessary) market:

Austin, TX – Not only Macs are at risk from malware; now that users can install applications on the iPhone and iPod touch, these devices are open to attack as well. Intego, the Macintosh security specialist, today announced the release of VirusBarrier X5 10.5.3, an update to its acclaimed antivirus software that Macworld calls “the gold standard”. This new version adds the ability to scan the iPhone and iPod touch for malware. VirusBarrier X5 is the only antivirus software that can eradicate malware from the iPhone and iPod touch.

Now that Apple has made it possible for users to add applications to the iPhone and iPod touch, there is a risk of installing applications that can harm these devices, or take control of them. And users “jailbreaking” (unlocking) an iPhone or iPod touch can install even more applications, increasing this risk. There are a number of security vulnerabilities that make these devices susceptible to attack; exploits for these vulnerabilities can be found easily, and future exploits are certain to be discovered.

VirusBarrier X5 now offers the ability to scan files and applications on the iPhone and iPod touch in search of malware or files that indicate that exploits have compromised the devices. Users connect an iPhone or iPod touch to their Mac, then choose the device and scan it with VirusBarrier X5.

When scanning an iPhone or iPod touch, VirusBarrier X5 copies all the files contained on the device to the user’s startup volume in order to verify their security. If any malware or infected files are found, VirusBarrier X5 alerts the user and offers to repair or delete the infected files.

“With the release of the iPhone 2.0 software, and the ability to add applications, users are facing new vectors of attack,” said Laurent Marteau, Intego’s CEO. “It is essential that we not only protect Mac users from malware, but also protect their iPhone and iPod touch at the same time.”

Pricing and Availability:

VirusBarrier X5 10.5.3 is available now. This version is a free upgrade for all users of VirusBarrier X5, and is available for download via NetUpdate, Intego’s automatic update tool.

Intego
VirusBarrier X5 10.5.3

Intego develops and sells desktop Internet security and privacy software for Macintosh. Intego provides the widest range of software to protect users and their Macs from the dangers of the Internet. Intego’s multilingual software and support repeatedly receives awards from Mac magazines, and protects more than one million users in over 60 countries. Intego has headquarters in the USA, France and Japan. For further information, please visit their website.

Now, I’m not one to knock antivirus applications — I consider them essential gear for any computer (you too, Mac; the more popular your platform gets, the bigger a target it paints on itself) — but for the the iPhone? A platform where software developers must be created by approved developers and go through a whole vetting process by Apple themselves before it’s even allowed on the platform? I can’t really see it. Maybe if a virus turns up for PC or Mac that can detect attached iPhone devices and insinuate themselves onto the platform somehow, or maybe a website that exploits a formerly unknown vulnerability in Mobile Safari, sure, those are possibilities, but… I dunno. Maybe as a hedge against the possibility of future possible malware, but right now, there’s just no use for it. But since it’s part of an existing antivirus app for Mac anyway, it can’t hurt. I do wonder what would happen if you tried to jailbreak your device on a Mac with this antivirus active though.

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