iPhone software lock-out is key to security

Apple's decision not to allow third-party software onto the iPhone will go a long way to ensuring that it is not prey to viruses and other malware, according to security firm Symantec.

Writing on the company's Security Response Weblog, principal software engineer Eric Chien says that as long as the iPhone remains a closed system - and Apple chief executive Steve Jobs seems determined that it will - the risk of infection will be very low.

"The lack of the ability to install just any software will greatly mitigate the risk of malicious code on Apple iPhones," he wrote.

"Can malicious software exist? Will malicious software exist? Probably, but the amount of malicious software will definitely not be on the scale as it is today with Windows and likely not reach the levels of current malware for current mobile devices."

That is not to say that the phone-iPod hybrid is immune to infection.

"While the iPhone is a closed device, a network of home-brew hackers will likely find methods to run their own code on the device," he noted.

"Once they install and execute unknown code on their device, there is always a chance of executing malicious code."

Chien reserved further judgement until the iPhone is released in June: "I'll need to get Symantec to buy me one in the name of research," he said.

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