Software virus protection

Abstract

A method of protecting a wireless device against viruses, comprising maintaining a database of virus signatures on the device, updating the database by downloading virus signatures in a Short Message Service (SMS) Message, and searching for virus signatures in the memory of or files stored on the wireless device by comparison with the database.

1 . A method of updating a virus signature database used by anti-virus software operating on a mobile wireless platform, comprising sending update data via a signalling channel of a mobile telecommunications network to the mobile wireless platform.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the update data sent to the mobile wireless platform is a virus signature database update.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the network is GSM or enhanced GSM network.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the update data is carried by one or more Short Message Service (SMS) messages.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein the update data is carried by one or more Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) message.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the message carrying the update data is cryptographically signed.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mobile platform comprises a mobile telephone, communicator, PDA, palmtop or laptop computer.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in any preceding claim, and comprising sending the update data in response to a request from the mobile platform.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said request identifies the current status of a virus signature database.  
     
     
         10 . A method of protecting a wireless device against viruses, comprising: 
 maintaining a database of virus signatures on the device;    updating the database by receiving data containing virus signatures in one or more Short Message Service (SMS) or Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) messages; and    searching for virus signatures contained in the database.