ESET Releases New Mobile Security Solution to Combat Growing Threat of Android-Based Malware

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 15 May, 2014: ESET®, the global leader in proactive digital protection, today announced availability of the newest version of ESET Mobile Security, which arms Android users with proactive Anti-Theft features to track lost or stolen mobile devices, through an easy-to-use web interface at my.eset.com. While the basic protection is free for a lifetime, it's up to users to decide if they want to subscribe and benefit from Premium features.

Extensive research and numerous studies have shown that the Android platform accounts for over 90% of malware. Owing to the flexibility, affordability and capabilities of the system however, it still enjoys the highest penetration in the smartphone market and research agency Gartner has predicted that over 1 billion Android devices will be shipped in 2014. Most of these will ship with only basic security features and settings which many users will tend to overlook.

“The popularity of the Android OS makes it a lucrative target for attackers as with more users, the potential of successful infection is vastly greater. Unfortunately, while users today spend significant amounts of money and time on their mobile devices, they fail to equip them with the same level of protection as they would a traditional PC,” said Pradeesh VS, General Manager at ESET Middle East. But with mobile devices now being used to communicate, store data and even make financial transactions, device loss is an extremely stressful event that can place a lot of sensitive data at risk. “We identified this as a major pain point for customers and added multiple easy-to-access features that eliminate much of the worry related to mobile device loss or theft,” said Pradeesh.

ESET Mobile Security provides set of strong security features improving the Android experience without worrying about cyber threats and comes in free and premium versions. The free version of the application provides basic protection including full device scan, scan of downloaded applications items and basic Anti-Theft functionalities. All Premium features are unlocked after activating of 30-day trial or buying the license. In the premium version users will find Scheduled scanning, On-Charger scan, advanced Proactive Anti-Theft functionalities, including my.eset.com integration, SMS&Call filter and Security Audit.

The solution's proactive Anti-Theft detects potentially dangerous situations and takes preventative steps to ease locating the stolen or lost device. The new functionality for Premium users sends the last location of the device when the battery hits critical level, takes snapshots from front and back camera when the wrong PIN/pattern is entered or an unauthorized SIM change is detected. All data on the device is accessible via the my.eset.com web interface.

New Proactive Anti-Theft and My.eset.com Features:

•Integration with my.eset.com web interface for Android devices and Windows notebooks protected by ESET Smart Security

•SIM Matching - Receive remote commands even if an unauthorized SIM card is inserted.

•Location Tracking - Online management of Anti-Theft. Mark a device as missing on my.eset.com. The location of the device is displayed on a map in real-time so that the user can quickly pinpoint the device’s whereabouts.

•Suspicious state - Autonomous preventive action after a wrong PIN/pattern is entered or unauthorized SIM change detected

•Camera Snapshots - If the device is marked missing, snapshots are automatically and regularly sent from the phone’s front and back camera to my.eset.com to help identify its location.

•On Screen Message - Customizable message to potential device finder

•Low Battery - If the device hits critical battery level, the current position is sent to my.eset.com

•User IP Address Details - Listing of IP addresses that the device was connected to if marked as missing

Users can download and use the FREE version of ESET Mobile Security from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eset.ems2.gp