VirusScan will be a built-in component of FOMA 901i series phones and is supported by the DoCoMo network itself, according to McAfee. The no assembly required integration is an industry first, McAfee claims.
There are very few viruses compatible with mobile platforms, so pushing antivirus as an integral part of mobile service, rather than waiting for real threats and media hype to compel customers to buy security software, is probably a wise idea.
McAfee is characterizing the deal as strategically similar to the bundling deal with America Online it announced recently that could see McAfee deployed to well over 20 million AOL users free of charge.
That’s our strategy right now to be integrated into the future computing platforms, said senior VP of mobile at McAfee Victor Kouznetsov. To be integrated into the computing fabric rather than being an afterthought.
Rival Symantec Corp announced an antivirus/firewall deal with Nokia Corp earlier this month, that will see Symantec’s software bundled on Nokia memory cards. The level of integration there, Kousnetsov said, is not as deep.
There’s a potential user base of 42 million DoCoMo subscribers. Whoever uses the phones in question will get the software included. Terms of the deal, such as how McAfee will be compensated, were not disclosed.
