Kaspersky Lab announced the release of Kaspersky Mobile Security, a unique offering that provides remote data protection and extensive malware defense for SMS/MMS-enabled smartphones running the Windows Mobile or Symbian operating systems.
With the number of smartphones predicted to reach 304 million by 2011 by IDC, the amount of sensitive data - business and personal - that is stored on these devices will dramatically increase. As more and more data makes its way to these mobile devices, a loss or theft becomes much more than an annoyance, it now becomes a real threat to personal or business identity.
According to Brian Burke, Program Director, Security Products at IDC, "The biggest concern for smartphone users currently is the loss of information stored on the device. However, with more information stored on smartphones comes greater risk from malware designed to steal information from a device as was recently experienced in the Asian market.
Anti-Theft
Kaspersky Mobile Security eases the minds of consumers and IT administrators alike, by providing the ability to remotely block or wipe data if the device is lost or stolen, as well as track the phone if it is stolen and reactivated. Key anti-theft functions available in Kaspersky Mobile Security include:
SMS Block - In the event of loss, the user can send a "hidden SMS message" to block access to your smartphone until a pre-set password is entered.
SMS Clean - Similar to SMS Block, this will completely clean out the smartphone's memory and memory cards.
SIM Watch - The SMS Block and SMS Clean functions are only available if a smartphone has the original SIM card installed. If the phone is stolen, the "new owner" will most likely replace the original SIM card. The SIM Watch will prevent the thief from accessing your data without the original SIM card in the device. If the original SIM card is replaced with a new one, SIM Watch automatically sends the new telephone number of the device to the original owner without the thief's knowledge.
Anti-Malware
As more and more data is placed onto these devices, smartphones become a much more meaningful vector for malicious attacks by cybercriminals. Traditional anti-malware technology also offered in Kaspersky Mobile Security includes:
SMS Spam Messages - Intrusive SMS messages containing adware can be a nuisance. Kaspersky Mobile Security can block SMS messages sent from unwanted or incorrect addresses as well as SMS messages with inappropriate content. Users can add phone numbers of known spam sources, incorrect numbers or unwanted text to a blacklist for blocking. In addition, contact lists can be added to a safe whitelist. In the Symbian version, MMS messages are also filtered.
Malicious Phone Attacks - Mobile devices malware can delete or steal confidential information, send mass SMS and MMS messages from infected phones, dial premium rate numbers without your knowledge, and transfer malicious code to a PC once a connection is established. Kaspersky Mobile Security provides real-time anti-malware scanning of all incoming files and connections to keep phones free of malicious programs.
Users can pre-set the best time for scanning to be performed automatically. If an infected object is detected, it is stored in the quarantine folder for review or deletion.Regular updates of antivirus databases and module functions allow Kaspersky Mobile Security to protect against the very latest malicious programs. Updates are performed automatically at intervals set by the user and are available via WAP/HTTP (GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi, etc.) or via a PC during synchronization.
Kaspersky Mobile Security can be installed on SMS-enabled smartphones running Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0 or the Symbian OS versions 9.x Series 60 (Nokia-only). More information about Kaspersky Mobile Security can be found at: www.kaspersky.com.
Quote
Jeff Aliber, Senior Director, Product Marketing, Kaspersky Lab
"It was inevitable that the rise of smartphones would put personal information at greater risk. As more and more critical data makes its way to these devices, there needs to be an easy way to protect this information. And until now, remote data protection for smartphones was only available to larger enterprises. With Kaspersky Mobile Security anyone can control access to their data remotely and also protect it from malicious software and unwanted SMS messages using our award-winning technology."
Availability and Pricing
Kaspersky Mobile Security is a subscription-based offering available now for purchase through the Kaspersky online store at www.kaspersky.com.
About Kaspersky Lab:
Kaspersky Lab delivers the world's most immediate protection against IT security threats, including viruses, spyware, crimeware, hackers, phishing and spam. Kaspersky Lab products provide superior detection rates and the industry's fastest outbreak response time for large enterprises, SMBs, home users and the mobile computing environment.
KasperskyŽ technology is also used worldwide inside the products and services of more than 100 of the industry's leading IT security solution providers. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com. For the latest on antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and other IT security issues and trends, visit www.viruslist.com. |
