Security software maker Mocana has announced an antivirus solution for Internet-connected devices that promises to secure pervasive computing environments.

But instead layering the security on top of an OS, or embedding it in another application, the technology is built into devices during the manufacturing cycle.

The NanoDefender application promises to protect any non-PC, Internet-connected device including smartphones and PDAs, as well as routers, printers, modems and even network gateways.

"This [software approach] avoids patch management and provides security to the pervasive computing environment as today's antivirus signature-based solutions aren't a good fit for protecting these devices," CEO Adrian Turner told InternetNews.com.

While PC security is widespread, mobile device security is an increasing concern for enterprises eager for mobility but not eager for network attacks.

According to a recent McAfee survey 79 percent of mobile device users don't use any antivirus or other security software on devices at all while 15 percent said they were unsure if their device had security software. An Insight Cypress study reported that remote workers regularly engage in risky behavior such as opening e-mails from unknown sources, using corporate PCs for personal activities and "hijacking" Wi-Fi connections.

"Mobile connected devices pose a huge potential backdoor for breaches and the traditional virus protection doesn't scale or work well on mobile devices," Kitty Weldon, principal analyst with Current Analysis, told InternetNews.com.

NanoDefender, an expansion of Mocana's Device Security Framework intrusion detection and prevention product line, is embedded into a device's operating system or application, and eliminates the patch approach needed with most antivirus applications.

This article was first published on InternetNews.com. To read the full article, click here.