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Security firm F-Secure has updated its mobile anti-virus software to support the latest version of the S60 interface, 3rd Edition, which runs on the newest version of the Symbian OS, 9.1.

As with past versions, F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus 3.0 for S60 3rd Edition performs transparent real-time protection, automatic antivirus database updates over an HTTPS data connection or incrementally with SMS messages, Automatic detection of data connections for updates, over-the-air activation of the antivirus service through HTTP, automatic self-updates of the F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus client, and digitally signed antivirus databases and virus signature updates.

F-Secure said the new version incorporates a next-generation scanning engine for mobile devices making it faster and more efficient compared to previous versions. The new software client also offers faster application updates by only updating the software elements that have changed since the last update. The software supports 27 languages.

Antti Vihavainen, F-Secure VP of Mobile Security said, "As mobile malware authors continue to increase their assault on the platform, Symbian and especially S60 has shown itself to be a large target because of its great popularity. While the S60 3rd Edition offers greater protection than its predecessors, the ultimate security comes from the installation of a reliable automatically updated antivirus service which we at F-Secure offer."

The application is available first for all new Nokia Nseries Eseries smartphones. It'll ship as the default anti-virus application with the N71 and N80, but will be available as a download or in a box in retail locations for devices like the Nokia E60, E61 and E70. Nokia finally started shipping its Eseries smartphones last week.

F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus 3.0 for S60 3rd Edition costs $34.95 for a 12-month subscription. F-Secure's solution differs from McAfee's just announced deal with Cingular in that the operator in the McAfee deal is the conduit to the consumer.

Legal Trojan
Back in March, F-Secure took an aggressive stance against the first program to secretly monitor calls and SMS messages on mobile handsets, calling Vervata's FlexiSPY Light a Trojan even.

Common in the PC world, FlexiSPY was the first spyware application for handsets. F-Secure was so concerned about FlexiSPY Light, the security vendor added it to the definition file for its F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus software. So if a phone is 'infected' the owner is told they’re being spied on.

Vervata took issue with F-secure adding FlexiSPY to its anti-virus software, asserting in a statement to The Register that the Trojan label was not justified and users could remove the application themselves. The user in question is the one who put FlexiSPY on the phone in the first place and not the one unknowingly carrying it on their handset, of course.

Victims - those being spied on - have no idea the software is running on their handset. F-Secure's Jarno Niemela wrote on the company's blog, "This application installs itself without any kind of indication as to what it is. And when it is installed on the phone it completely hides itself from the user."

The software has a hidden user interface that can only be accessed by the person who bought the $49.95 application and installed it on the phone.

To F-Secure, that was enough to make FlexiSPY malicious code.