Kaspersky Lab has announced the release of Maintenance Pack 1 for Kaspersky Endpoint Security 8 for Smartphones. This update introduces support for the Android platform as well as new versions of the Symbian and BlackBerry mobile operating systems.<\/p>\n
Kaspersky Endpoint Security 8 for Smartphone includes: antivirus and anti-theft modules, protection for personal data and the ability to block unwanted calls and SMSs. In addition, it also provides malware protection and keeps corporate data safe even if a smartphone is lost or stolen. It can also help to locate a lost smartphone using the device\u2019s internal GPS receiver and can inform the owner of the new number if the SIM card is changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Android platform saw tremendous growth in 2010 and became the leader in early 2011. With Maintenance Pack 1, Kaspersky Endpoint Security 8 for Smartphone allows Android and other mobile devices to be integrated into corporate infrastructures,\u201d Says Sergey Nevstruev<\/a>, Head of the Mobile Solutions Business Department, Kaspersky Lab.<\/p>\n Smartphones are becoming increasingly popular with consumers in general. According to Gartner, in the first quarter of 2011 sales of mobile phones increased by 19% overall, and of the total sales figure, smartphones accounted for 23.6%, a rise of 85% year-on-year. The most popular smartphone operating system is Android, with Symbian and Apple\u2019s iOS coming second and third respectively.<\/p>\n A large number of these target ordinary phones via the J2ME platform. Cybercriminals have their sights set on users\u2019 money and personal data which they try to obtain via SMS and premium rate number scams, and the possibility of intercepting mobile banking verification data is likely.<\/p>\n In a forecast for 2011 by IDC, it was noted that lost or stolen smartphones, application vulnerabilities and device support in corporate infrastructure will become an even bigger problem for companies. According to IDC\u2019s forecast, \u201cMobile device support is a growing issue as more corporate employees buy their own laptops, smartphones and other devices and request corporate access to networks, data and applications\u201d. So, if an unprotected smartphone is stolen, a criminal may not only gain access to sensitive data on the device itself, but to the whole corporate infrastructure as well.<\/p>\n New features include full protection for Android-based devices, including virus protection, anti-theft, protection of sensitive data and blocking of unwanted calls and SMSs.<\/p>\n Maintenance Pack 1 also introduces support for:<\/p>\n