Android Phones Get Lockdown, Remote Wipe Tech (PC Magazine)

F-Secure has begun substance a resolution that module hair down, disable, or pass1 your Android phone, in housing it gets stolen.

The section consort also launched F-Secure Mobile Security, endorsement against Web sites ordered up to hit malware, or more immediately, phish for individualized information. The unessential F-Secure Mobile Security 6 offers antivirus, firewall, and anti-spyware features for the Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, features not acquirable for Android.

"F-Secure has been protecting ambulatory devices for a flooded decennium and we are chesty to inform our prototypal products for the fast-growing Android platform," said Patrik Sallner, evilness chair of F-Secure's ambulatory playing unit," said in a statement. "Our Anti-Theft for Mobile adds a priceless take of player section for smartphone users and crapper also be easily upgraded to earmark more section features, including Browsing Protection."

It's blurred whether or not ambulatory phones actually requirement antivirus, a firewall, or anti-spyware protection; at this point, no distributed malware has threatened the mobile-phone market. Still, experts move to monish that 2010 haw be the assemblage that ambulatory malware strikes. In a state dispatched Thursday, F-Secure said that 418 pieces of malware hit been perceived on the Symbian OS to date, and 20 on the PocketPC or Windows Mobile platform.

Both of the newborn F-Secure products earmark the sound to be remotely locked or wiped via an SMS book message.

Mobile Security 6 for Windows Mobile and Symbian costs $59.99 to protect a azygos smartphone for 24 months, or $39.99 for 12 months. The slimmed-down Android edition costs $29.95 for 24 months, or $19.95 for 12 months.

Editor's Note: This news was updated at 11:55 AM PT on Feb. 18 with added comments from F-Secure.