Even just a few years ago, the idea of a company offering anti virus software for a games console would have been laughable. Nowadays however, the Internet's role in consoles (even handhelds like the PSP) is growing, and so too is the risk of getting malware infections or exposing sensitive data. At least that is the assertion of Trend Micro Inc., which has launched such software for the PlayStation 3 (PS3).
Not only does this software protect users form malicious web sites, it also has a password-protected service to keep websites depicting illegal activity, pornography or similar content away from children's eyes. It makes sense to offer such a service, as many parents who do monitor and take a roll in the PC use of their children are just too happy to let them sit in front of a games console alone and be quiet for a few hours.
However, some industry experts are wondering if this sort of protection is needed for consoles right now, and whether there is significant demand for it. "I think the jury's still out," said Daniel Ives, an analyst at Friedman Billings Ramsey. "Over the coming years, as the console becomes more common in terms of Web browsing, that's when you can really try to gauge what type of opportunity it is for the antivirus vendors."
Trend Micro however, maintains the claim that consoles are becoming increasingly at risk to these threats and its new PS3 software applies the company's technologies for identifying Web sites that host malicious code or are a front to steal passwords. It was released earlier this month as part of a PS3 upgrade and will be free until April.
Source:
Yahoo (AP)
However, some industry experts are wondering if this sort of protection is needed for consoles right now, and whether there is significant demand for it. "I think the jury's still out," said Daniel Ives, an analyst at Friedman Billings Ramsey. "Over the coming years, as the console becomes more common in terms of Web browsing, that's when you can really try to gauge what type of opportunity it is for the antivirus vendors."
Trend Micro however, maintains the claim that consoles are becoming increasingly at risk to these threats and its new PS3 software applies the company's technologies for identifying Web sites that host malicious code or are a front to steal passwords. It was released earlier this month as part of a PS3 upgrade and will be free until April.
Source:
Yahoo (AP)
