Tuesday, 30 July 2013

McAfee Mobile Security offers enhanced privacy protection and app ‘safe zone’ for kids

McAfee Mobile Security now available in basic and premium versions

LONDON, UK.-30th July, 2013 - McAfee today announced an updated version of McAfee® Mobile Security offering new, cutting-edge privacy features including the Multi-user App Profile function which allows consumers to create multiple user profiles or "safe zones" on one device with customised or restricted access to apps. The new version of the award-winning software also features the option to choose between a basic or premium version. The premium version provides a full range of security and best-in-class privacy features on top of the basic version capabilities; the basic version provides select antivirus, backup and anti-theft capabilities at no cost.

In 2011/12, around 2 per cent of UK mobile phone owners experienced a phone theft, with an estimated 826,000 phone thefts occurring. McAfee Mobile Security basic provides consumers with an easy way to protect themselves from theft and the loss or invasion of their personal data.It protects users' privacy as it allows them to back up, wipe and restore contacts remotely through an easy-to-use web portal, as well as locate a lost or stolen device on a map, and remotely sound an alarm.

"When consumers contemplate securing their smartphones and tablets, they often think in terms of their susceptibility to mobile malware, overlooking the very real threat to their privacy should their devices become lost or stolen," said Ari Jaaksi, senior vice president and general manager, mobile engineering and operations at McAfee. "With McAfee Mobile Security basic we're helping consumers protect their privacy at a baseline level at no cost, which we hope will help encourage users to take a more proactive role in securing their mobile devices and employ secure computing practices and protections."

Supported by McAfee Global Threat Intelligence, the premium version of McAfee Mobile Security is an all-inclusive solution that includes the industry's best-in-class app privacy features including app privacy reporting and call and SMS filtering. In the Mobile Security: McAfee Consumer Trends Report - June 2013, McAfee found that more than one quarter of mobile apps are likely more than just adware and may be collecting and handing over precise GPS location, account, and activity information to criminals.

To protect consumers against the abusive permissions of these risky apps, McAfee Mobile Security premium now features the Multi-user App Profile function that allows users to create a "safe zone" for kids, friends, family members or even strangers that may pick up or misuse their devices. It also includes new Data Exposure Analysis, which gives consumers the ability to see for themselves the level of risk their apps may pose.

In addition, the premium version will include a Hidden Device Admin Detector feature, which protects users from Trojans such as the newly discovered Obad.  This feature is also included as part of the McAfee Mobile Innovations app available to Android users at no cost on Google Play.