Phoenix Software announces local availability in retail stores of Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 - integrated protection for smartphones

Phoenix Software has announced that Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0, designed to protect smartphones from all types of IT threats as well as confidential data leaks from lost or stolen devices, will be available in leading retail stores in South Africa by the end of June.

The new version of Kaspersky Mobile Security is unrivalled in terms of cutting-edge technologies, providing an unprecedented level of protection against the wide range of threats facing smartphone users.

For instance, SMS Find can locate the exact whereabouts 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 co-ordinates.

The anti-theft module of Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 makes it possible for the owner of a lost or stolen smartphone to remotely block access to or completely wipe the memory of the device by simply sending a codeword via SMS to his/her number.

“With the high level of theft that we experience in this country, this is a fantastic product for South Africans who want to protect their property as well as the valuable data that our phones contain,” comments Simon Campbell Young, CEO of Phoenix Software.

If the SIM card is removed from a lost or stolen phone, the SIM Watch module in Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 sends a hidden message notifying the owner of the new number. This function ensures the owner can delete data from or block the smartphone no matter what the circumstances. Moreover, law enforcement agencies can use the new number to track down the stolen device and return it to its rightful owner.

Give sensitive and confidential information on your phone an added level of security. Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 provides a safe-folder within the smartphone, which contents are permanently encrypted and only accessible with a user-defined password. When the password is entered, the folder will remain accessible to enhance usability until KMS detects a period of inactivity.

The parental control component - new to Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 - enables parents to restrict the sending and receiving of messages to a child's phone (eg, premium-rate numbers, adult content services, etc). The solution's SMS Find function also allows parents to locate their children if their smartphones have GPS.

Kaspersky Mobile Security 8.0 also includes an improved anti-spam module. The spam filter not only blocks unsolicited messages, but also calls, protecting users from fraudsters and obtrusive advertising. The new version of Kaspersky Mobile Security can function in white-list mode (only accepting calls and messages from specified contacts) or in blacklist mode (accepting calls and messages from all numbers except those in the list).

Anti-virus scanner is still best of breed. As well as automatically scanning all incoming and modified objects, it performs on-demand scans of the device. All malicious objects can be deleted or stored in quarantine. Regular updates of the anti-virus databases via various channels, including synchronisation with a PC, ensure that new malicious programs are 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 WiFi connections.

The new Kaspersky Lab application offering protection for smartphones was developed with all the compatibility requirements for Symbian OS 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0, 6.1 in mind.

Pricing and availability:

Incredible Connection, CNA, MWeb and other leading retailers across the country will have product in store at the end of June 2009, for an SRP of R299.99.