AntiVirus for handhelds, PDA cameras

OB/GYN News, June 15, 2004 by Thomas G. McLeod, Jon O. Ebbert

Featured App: AntiVirus for Handhelds

Recent news items or bulletins from system administrators have made us all too familiar with the increasing phenomena of computer viruses and Trojan horse programs. These small fragments of malicious code infect computers and cause trouble in a variety of ways. Viruses may slow the performance of your system, crash your hard drive, or erase all your data. Trojan horse programs fly beneath the radar, capturing passwords, credit card numbers, and other confidential information to send back to their master. At the least, your surfing experience on CNN.com is a bit slower than usual; at worst, you're a victim of identity theft. Although servers and desktop computer systems have traditionally been most vulnerable to attack, handheld devices are becoming an easy target. Viruses may be transferred to PDAs via infrared ("beaming"), hard-wired synchronization, wireless network use, or by swapping memory cards. Once on-device, handheld users may suffer the same fate--data loss, information theft, system crash.

Symantec Corp, to the rescue! Producer of the popular Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security programs for desktop systems, Symantec has now released AntiVirus for Handhelds, which is compatible with both Palm OS and Pocket PC devices. The program is installed to the desktop computer and is thereafter synchronized to the handheld. AntiVirus may be configured with Auto-Protect (to automatically scan main memory after synchronization and/or expansion cards after insertion), or users may conduct on-demand scans at their discretion. Virus Definitions, a scanning Activity Log, and on-device Help are included. Virus definitions may be updated through use of LiveUpdate from the desktop, or directly from the handheld if it is wireless capable. The program may be purchased from electronics and computer retail outlets, or downloaded directly from the company's Web site (www.symantec.com).

Accessorize: PDA Cameras

Are you tech hungry? Maybe your PDA already has a high-resolution color screen, plays MP3 audio files, and you can call the hospital with it. Want more yet? Take a look at PDA cameras!

Years ago, Kodak's snap-on PalmPix camera was the first tentative step into the PDA camera studio: The technology has continued to march forward. Some handhelds--PalmOne Zire 71, Sony Clie PEG-NZ90, and the View-Sonic Pocket PC V36--have built-in cameras. Want an add-on rather than a whole new device? Secure digital (SD) and compactflash (CF) card-based peripheral cameras are now available for Palm OS and Pocket PC devices. For Palm devices, card-based options are limited to the 0.3 megapixel Veo Photo Traveler. Photo peripherals for Pocket PCs (Hewlett Packard iPAQs in particular) are much more impressive. The Veo Pocket PC Photo Traveler and Hewlett Packard Photosmart Mobile capture 1.3 megapixel digital stills and also video. Lifeview's FlyCAM ups the ante further with an added flash and self-timer. Most cameras include rudimentary editing and archival software, and permit e-mailing of captured images. Add-on cameras vary in price, from about $50 to $150 and may be purchased from the company Web sites (www.veo.com, www.lifeview.com, and www.hp.com) or www.mobileplanet.com.

Surf This Site: PDA Security

If you'd like more information on PDA security, we suggest a couple of Web sites. The Home PC Firewall Guide (www.firewallguide.com) is a well-organized source of independent information on computer and Internet security. This site first appeared in May 2000, is regularly updated, and is listed as a sponsor by the National Cyber Security Alliance. Numerous links on the home page access specific information on firewalls, antivirus, and wireless network security. A direct link to PDA security information is also included (www.firewallguide.com/pda.htm).

The Yale University Information Technology Services-Medicine Web site also provides some helpful information. PDA security details are accessed at http://its.med.yale.edu/security/pda. An overview describes handheld security concerns in the context of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and reviews principles of password protection and encryption. The site also lists a variety of commercial PDA security solutions.

BY THOMAS G. MCLEOD, M.D., AND JON O. EBBERT, M.D.

DR. THOMAS G. MCLEOD and DR. JON O. EBBERT are with the division of community internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Their reviews are independent evaluations, and they receive no compensation from and do not consult with the manufacturers of the products evaluated in this column.