Caught on camera: New Android security feature from Kaspersky Lab takes photos of smartphone thieves

Tags: Kaspersky, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)

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PRESS RELEASE

Abingdon, UK, 5th October - Kaspersky Lab has today announced the update of its security solution for Android-based smartphones, helping users to track and identify potential smartphone thieves. The new version of Kaspersky Mobile Security includes a Mugshot feature, allowing users to take photos of anyone using the smartphone without permission from the front-facing camera.

The Mugshot feature, previously only available with Kaspersky Tablet Security solution for Android-based tablets, is another way of collecting more data about a smartphone thief. Activated via a Web Management interface, the photos taken are uploaded to a portal where the smartphone owner can view them.

Customers are also able to control the lost device using the special Web Management portal, making it possible to wipe data on the smartphone or restore factory settings, locate the device using an internal GPS receiver, or block the device so the data stored on it will not fall into the wrong hands. It remains possible to control the device remotely via special SMS-based commands, and the SIM Watch function continues to offer an alternative method of remote control.

"In this update we've paid specific attention to anti-theft features. We know that consumers often lose important data when their smartphone is lost or stolen. According to a recent survey, 14 percent of users have experienced an incident of this kind. The new version of Kaspersky Mobile Security adds additional functionality in order to increase the chances of recovering a lost or stolen device," commented Victor Dronov, Head of Mobile Products division, Kaspersky Lab.

The number of malicious programs targeting smartphones almost trebled in the second quarter of 2012, with close to 15,000 new threats appearing in April-June. With 90 percent of all mobile malware aimed at Android-based devices, Kaspersky Mobile Security also detects and blocks malicious websites when using the standard Android web browser. The solution is one of the best solutions in terms of detecting and blocking various types of Android malware, as confirmed by independent tests, while the new features added are aimed at enhancing protections for users data if their smartphone is lost or stolen.

The updated version of Kaspersky Mobile Security is available for purchase now at Kaspersky Lab's website. To learn more about the product, follow this link: http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/kaspersky_mobile_security.