Kaspersky Lab, home of one of the world's foremost internet security labs, today announced general availability of Kaspersky Security for PDAs v. 5.5, the latest version of Kaspersky's suite of protection for handheld devices and smartphones.

The suite offers comprehensive protection for handhelds running PocketPC and Palm OS, and smartphones running Microsoft Smartphone 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone, and safeguards users while still allowing them full control and access to stored data.

"Kaspersky Security for PDAs extends our award-winning detection and industry-leading updates to this set of devices, which will continue to be significant targets as we've seen with the recent Cabir and Commonwarrior attacks."
Kaspersky Security for PDAs v. 5.5 has improved virus detection and disinfection functions, along with a new antivirus monitor that complements existing functions by tracking application activity in real time, ensuring that malicious code cannot be executed.

Updates to antivirus databases can be downloaded automatically, providing perpetual protection even as new threats are attempted. Version 5.5 is also designed to protect aspects unique to smartphones. Kaspersky Security for PDAs 5.5 not only detects and removes viruses on the internal memory of smartphones, but also protects the memory card, as infected objects are quickly identified and can be immediately deleted.

A new aspect of Kaspersky Security for PDAs v. 5.5 of great interest to network administrators is the ability to encrypt data stored on handheld devices. Now unauthorized users will be blocked from accessing confidential information, and PocketPC users can create hidden folders where stored data is encrypted and folders are password protected.

In the event that a Palm OS users' password to lock their device is bypassed and a malicious user gains access to the memory card, the encryption will still protect their stored information. New cryptographic algorithms from the Intel library are also incorporated to further heighten security when the program is run under PocketPC.