You see stories everywhere saying how insecure and malware ridden Android is, most of which are just sensationalism and FUD. The fact is that Android is very much like Windows, where developers (and unsavory types) can write software that you install without it being poured over and approved. This means some of it will be malware -- them's the breaks and there's not much that can be done about it. Paranoid users will just not install any third party applications, savvy users will research every piece of code they install, and normal users can use a mobile security app like Kaspersky Lab's latest offering, Mobile Security Lite.
It has the malware scanning you hear so much about, but it also has some other -- possibly more important -- features baked in. SMS and call filtering are a must have for some (including yours truly) and anti-theft tools are almost a must have when we keep so much personal information on our Android phones. Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite offers both in addition to malware scanning, which makes it worth a second look. Many of us use apps that block random callers and texts, and having a solution baked in to an all-in-one security app is a great idea. Add in the ability to track your phone via GPS, and remote lock and wipe it when you find out it's not in your pocket or purse where it belongs, then make it free -- that's a recipe for success.
We're going to have a closer look at this one, and if you're looking for a mobile security solution you should as well. Find the download link and press release after the break.
Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite Now Available for Free on Android Market
Free version of Kaspersky Lab smartphone security software finds and remotely-controls missing or stolen Android devices
Woburn, MA – January 6, 2012 – Your smartphone is as likely to be lost or stolen as your wallet—and mobile payment systems on the horizon make the personal information on your smartphone more valuable than ever before. Today, Kaspersky Lab released a free security application to keep your contacts, email and banking information from falling into the wrong hands.
Available exclusively through the Android Market, Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite lets you block sources of unwanted calls and text messages, and offers a basic level of protection for your Android-based smartphone. By sending a text message to your missing phone—using any other phone or computer—you can remotely lock, block and track the device itself, or wipe all your information from your phone’s memory.
Missing Smartphone?
For Android smartphones that are misplaced or left behind in the backseat of a taxi, Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite will use the smartphone’s GPS software to display its current coordinates to its owner. These GPS coordinates are automatically displayed on Google Maps, allowing users to obtain a real-time location of their misplaced phone.
Stolen Smartphone?
If the phone has been stolen, the rightful owner can remotely lock access to the phone’s functions and address books and can block communications to and from the missing device. Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite can also remotely delete all personal data from the device—including contacts, addresses, calendars, text messages and email—preventing sensitive information from being illegally used or stolen.
Upgrade to Premium
For owners who want premium protection for their Android smartphones, Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 ($19.95) offers a broader range of features including real-time antivirus protection, scanning websites, apps and email attachments for malicious software. The premium software also offers anti-theft features to prevent savvy thieves from stealing data using a new SIM card. Additionally, Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 includes a privacy feature that can password-protect access to telephone logs, text messages and other data—ideal to use when sharing your smartphone with friends or colleagues.
Where to Find
Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite (free) is available for download exclusively in the Android Market. This application is only compatible with Android (1.6 – 2.3) smartphones.
Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 ($19.95) is available for purchase at Staples, Future Shop, and other retailers throughout the United States and Canada, and through the Kaspersky Lab online store at www.kaspersky.com for $9.95 per license, renewable annually. Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 is compatible with all smartphones using the Symbian OS (versions 9.1 through 9.4 or higher), Windows Mobile (5.0, 6.0, 6.1 or 6.5), BlackBerry (4.5 – 6.0), and Android (1.6 – 2.3).
About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab is the world's largest privately-held Internet Security company, providing comprehensive protection against all forms of IT threats such as viruses, spyware, hackers and spam. The company's products provide in-depth computer defense for more than 400 million systems around the globe, including home and mobile users, small and medium sized businesses and large enterprises. Kaspersky technology is also incorporated inside the products and services of nearly 100 of industry leading IT, networking, communications and applications solution vendors.
For further information about the company, please visit https://usa.kaspersky.com/.
For the latest in-depth information on security threat issues and trends, please visit https://securelist.com/. Follow @Securelist on Twitter. For the most up-to-date world security news, visit https://threatpost.com/.
