Mobile phones have never really been affected by viruses, because most of them are too basic as functionality for such attack (most of them anyway). But lately, 3G mobile phones have become more vulnerable because they come equipped with web browsing capabilities and can also accept regular emails.

Nokia, the leading mobile phone manufacturer that has several devices of this type in its product portfolio is now aiming to protect users from virus attacks and has filed for a patent for a mobile firewall. Unlike PC firewalls, Nokia's application will be part of the mobile network itself and act as a barrier between the Internet and the mobile phone.

Reportedly, it will connect to the network by setting up 'pinholes' through which legitimate data to and from the net can be sent and received. If the data proves to belong to a trusted application it will be allowed to pass through, while unknown data will be automatically blocked and malicious programs won't get through onto the mobile phone. While there's no info on when we'll get to see this put to use, hopefully it can be configured by the user and not just set to whatever the operator thinks is best for them.

Here's the abstract : A system, mobile node, network entity, method and computer program product for providing firewall protection for a wireless communication network are provided in which a firewall profile is accessed by the network entity when a mobile node connects to the network. The firewall profile defines a list of static firewall pinholes which are opened in a firewall by the network entity. The mobile node may open additional pinholes dynamically. The opened pinholes are closed by the network entity when the mobile node disconnects from the network.