| Security software wipes stolen data remotely |
Apr. 08, 2008
 Kaspersky Lab has introduced software aimed at letting individual owners of lost or stolen Windows Mobile phones block access and delete data remotely. Kaspersky Mobile Security also filters SMS spam messages, scans incoming files for malware in real time, and includes a firewall, the company says.
Remote deletion of data on a stolen device is a feature already offered by other software packages, such as Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and Trust Digital's Smartphone Security, to name two examples. However, these programs target enterprise deployments and require server-side software. Kaspersky's product, in contrast, may be more appropriate for use by an individual or small business.
 
Codes relayed via SMS can block access to a phone (left) or delete its data (right)
To lock a phone (above left) or delete all its data (above right), the owner need merely send a specific code to it via SMS, Kaspersky claims. Via an "SMS Block" code, the phone is locked and becomes unusable until and unless a pre-set password is entered. Via an "SMS Clean" code, a phone's data can be erased remotely, including email, SMS messages, documents, and network settings.
To use SMS Block or SMS Watch, it's necessary to know a device's phone number, which, as Kaspersky notes, a thief might alter by changing a device's SIM card. Therefore, Kaspersky Mobile Security also includes "SIM Watch" software that shuts down access to data on a device if its original SIM card is removed. As an added deterrent, when a new SIM is installed, SIM Watch will send the thief's phone number to the original owner covertly.
 
Kaspersky Mobile Security's anti-spam module (left) can ask the user what to do with messages from unknown senders (right)
Other SMS-related functionality in Kaspersky Mobile Security includes an anti-spam module (above left), designed to filter out mass mailing and advertising distributed via SMS via a user-compiled "blacklist" and "whitelist." Messages from phone numbers on the blacklist are normally filtered out, while messages from numbers on the whitelist are always delivered. Alternatively, the sofware can ask the user what to do with messages from previously unknown numbers (above right).
 
Kaspersky Mobile Security's anti-virus module (left) and virus detection (right)
The software also includes an anti-virus component (above left) that can scan incoming files for malware in real time, or scan a device's complete file system on demand. If an infected object is found (above right), it gets moved to a quarantine folder for inspection or deletion, says Kaspersky.
Finally, a firewall is available that can be set to block network traffic entirely, block incoming traffic and outgoing traffic from anything other than "regular" applications, or block incoming traffic only.
Kaspersky Mobile Security offers regular updates of its antivirus databases and other modules. These can be obtained via a device's WAN or LAN connections, or via a PC during synchronization, according to the company.
Further information
Kaspersky Mobile Security supports SMS-enabled smartphones running Windows Mobile 5.0 or 6.0. It is sold on a subscription basis, at approximately $30 for one year, or $46 for two years. More information may be available from the company's website, here.
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