Kaspersky Lab has expanded its mobile security platform to include Android and BlackBerry devices. Kaspersky already supported Windows Mobile and Symbian.
However, Android and Blackberry users will have to wait for Encryption and parental controls features, which are only available for Windows mobile and Symbian phones.
The new Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 supports anti-theft features such as using the phone’s GPS to track down the location of the device and remotely wiping information on all four platforms namely Windows Mobile, Symbian, Android and BlackBerry.
Anti-virus, Firewall and privacy protection are also available for Android but not for BlackBerry users. Mobile filtering, which allows users to block spam text messages and unwanted phone calls, are available for all devices.
McAfee has also recently made available its Mobile Security suite, which offers remote lock, GPS tracking, remote wipe and malware scanning features, to mobile users.
The Kaspersky anti-theft technology available for all four platforms includes SMS Find, Remote Block and SIM Watch.
With SMS Find, users can pinpoint the missing mobile device’s location on Google Maps using real-time GPS location data. The information can also be sent to a pre-defined e-mail address.
Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 also lets users remotely block anyone from downloading data or receiving calls on the missing device. The device can be either locked down to prevent anyone from accessing private data or remotely wiped, to delete all sensitive data.
SIM Watch alerts the original owner if the thief tries to foil GPS tracking and remote wipes by replacing the SIM card, the company said. The telephone number associated to the new SIM card is automatically sent to the predefined email address, and the original owner can still remotely wipe data.
The new version of Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 is available as a subscription-offering for Rs 599 per license. Supported versions include Symbian OX 9.1 and higher, Windows Mobile 5.0 to 6.5, BlackBerry 4.5 to 6.0 and Android 1.6 to 2.2 (Donut to FroYo).