Kaspersky Mobile Security protects smartphone users from Cybercrime attacks

(15/07/2009)

Smartphone users have become more dependent on their mobile device than their PC, using them for diaries, carrying information, browsing the Internet, emailing, holding photos and music. Whilst there is a widespread awareness of Cybercriminal activity relating to the Internet and PCs, awareness is much lower of the equally serious threats to smartphones and the need to protect them.

Since the information on a smartphone can be as valuable as the information on many people’s PCs, smartphones a very attractive target for Cybercriminals. And what if one has left the smartphone in a taxi or on a table in a café? The loss or theft of a smartphone means that a user’s personal data is in the hands of a stranger.

The fact that 30 percent of all mobile devices are lost per year (source: SANS institute) and more than 800 programs are known to be able to infect smartphones illustrate how serious the situation has become.

“Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 combines our latest technologies designed to protect smartphones from Cybercrime attacks”, says Andreas Lamm, Managing Director Kaspersky Lab Europe. “This product provides reliable protection for smartphone users and their personal data stored on it.”

With the SMS Find feature of Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 users can locate the exact position of a lost smartphone (for devices with GPS). After sending an SMS with a password to the lost device, the user receives a link to Google Maps containing its exact coordinates. If the smartphone has been lost or stolen the SMS Block feature enables users to remotely block access to the device by simply sending a codeword via SMS to its number. SMS Clean allows users to clean the device’s memory and memory cards via a simple SMS code as well.

If the SIM card is removed from a lost or stolen phone, the SIM Watch feature in Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 sends a hidden SMS or e-mail notifying the owner of the new telephone number without the “new owner’s” knowledge. This function ensures that the owner can delete data from or block the smartphone no matter what the circumstances are. Moreover, law enforcement agencies can use the new number to track down the stolen device and return it to its rightful owner.

The parental control component enables parents to restrict the sending and receiving of unsuitable messages and content to a child’s phone, e.g. adult or other chargeable content services. Restriction of certain numbers, e.g. premium rate or international numbers, helps keeping the telephone bill under control. The solution’s SMS Find function also allows parents to locate their children if their smartphones have GPS.

Crimeware for mobile devices can delete or steal confidential information, send mass SMS and MMS messages from infected devices, dial premium rate numbers without a user’s knowledge and transfer malicious code to a PC once a connection is established. Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 provides real-time antivirus scanning of all incoming files and network connections, as well as on-demand and on-access scanning of the device, keeping it free of crimeware.

The Anti-spam filter blocks unsolicited messages and calls, protecting users from fraudsters and obtrusive advertising. Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 can function in white list mode or in blacklist mode.

The antivirus scanner automatically checks all incoming and modified SMS, MMS and email items and performs on-demand scans of the device. All malicious objects can be deleted or stored in quarantine. Regular updates of the antivirus databases via various channels, including synchronization with a PC, ensure that new crimeware is detected and deleted effectively.

The integrated firewall in Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 also prevents attacks by hackers and mobile worms that spread via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. Depending on the level selected, one or more connections will be restricted to provide user security.

Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 offers protection for smart phones featuring Symbian OS 9.x and Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0, 6.1.

Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0: £19.99

The product is now available online.

Related topics:  Data management and data security   Firewall   Mobile and Wireless Security 

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