McAfee has announced a new mobile security component which protects against threats that originate from email, instant messages and multimedia downloads in various mobile devices.
McAfee VirusScan Mobile has been designed to give protection to the mobile phone. The VirusScan software guards against threats and protects the device at entry points, including SMS, MMS and email.
McAfee VirusScan can automatically scan incoming and outgoing data for malicious code and continuously monitors and analyzes mobile data and files. VirusScan Mobile also seamlessly interacts with McAfee’s Avert Labs for the latest protection updates.
Recently mobile threats included viruses like “Duts” and “Xrove”. “Duts” attaches its viral code to executable files and proved how a virus can spread within a Windows Mobile device.
“Xrove” demonstrated how a Windows mobile device can get infected via PC synchronization. Mobile variants of spyware and phishing over text messaging have been identified as well.
Todd Gebhart, senior vice president and general manager, McAfee Consumer, Mobile and Small Business stated, “Mobile Internet use, which now involves everything from email to payments and mobile security, will become of greater importance as threats evolve.”
He further added, “While not yet widespread, McAfee Avert Labs has identified 450 different mobile threat variants, including viruses and spyware that can threaten devices and personal information. McAfee VirusScan Mobile is proactive protection, providing customers with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are protected today against the mobile threats of the future.”
The virus can come on to a mobile phone through message attachments, application downloads, Bluetooth communication and PC synchronization.
Hackers now-a-days are using sophisticated social engineering tactics to trick consumers to confirm the installation of mobile malware and public mobile Internet sites have also been used to circulate these software.
The users who have purchased the McAfee Total Protection or McAfee Internet Security Suite will get McAfee VirusScan Mobile free of charge.