Today McAfee announced the addition of two new product offerings for consumers with mobile devices: McAfee Mobile Security and McAfee WaveSecure Tablet Edition. With these releases, McAfee addresses consumers’ growing concern for secure data protection on mobile devices, whether they are used for personal, banking and/or work purposes.
Canadians are turning to our mobile and wireless devices in increasing numbers to take advantage of faster and more convenient ways to go about our daily activities, and many users are aware of the risks involved with exchanging personal and financial information virtually. According to a recent Leger Marketing survey*, 83% of Canadians who use a mobile device want at least some form of security protection of their devices. This includes features such as remote lock, remote wipe and remote tracking. Further, in a mobile security report released last week by McAfee and Carnegie Mellon University, respondents noted their mobile device security concerns were predominantly focused upon data security and data loss (please see the release below for more information).
With McAfee Mobile Security, McAfee provides consumers with a comprehensive security suite for smartphones and tablets that protects against online threats such as viruses and spyware. Some key features of this solution include:
• Data back-up and restoration
• Remote wipe
• Anti-malware protection
• An alarm to help users find the device, whether it be lost or stolen
• Mobile device management
With the addition of WaveSecure Tablet Edition, McAfee empowers Android mobile and wireless device users with an advanced level of protection and features that safeguard personal and business data.
* The online survey of 1,500 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, was completed over the period May 24 – 26, 2011 by Leger Marketing. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
PRESS RELEASE
MCAFEE CHANGES SECURITY LANDSCAPE WITH NEW CONSUMER MOBILE DEVICE OFFERINGS
83 Per Cent of Canadians Who Use A Mobile Device Want Extended Security Protection*; Consumer Product Portfolio to include McAfee® Mobile Security and McAfee® WaveSecure™ Software for Android Tablets
MARKHAM, ONT. – June 21, 2011 – McAfee today announced it is extending its mobile device portfolio for consumers with McAfee Mobile Security and McAfee WaveSecure Tablet Edition. These mobile device offerings change the mobile security landscape by offering security safeguards that help consumers secure their mobile devices for personal use, commerce and work.
A recent Leger Marketing survey*, commissioned by McAfee Canada, showed that Canadians overwhelmingly want security technologies to protect their mobile devices. Eighty three per cent (83%) of Canadians who use a mobile device want some (36%) or full (47%) protections (e.g. ability to remotely lock the device from unauthorized access; ability to remotely wipe the device’s memory; ability to locate the device using GPS technology; and ability to back up the device) to secure their mobile devices. Only 17 per cent of respondents do not feel the security of mobile devices is important.
According to a mobile security report released last week by McAfee and Carnegie Mellon University, titled, “Mobility and Security: Dazzling Opportunities, Profound Challenges,” respondents named their top three security concerns to be the loss of personal or work data through the accidental loss of a device, physical theft of the device, or loss of their data due to their device “crashing.” In addition, close to half of all respondents said they were using their smartphones both for personal use and work, demonstrating that consumers want more than just personal device security.
McAfee Mobile Security software, available for both smartphones and tablets, provides a comprehensive mobile security solution by combining three leading McAfee mobile security products: WaveSecure, VirusScan Mobile and SiteAdvisor® for Android. It is ideal for users who want protection for their data and privacy in the event of loss or theft, protection against the growing threats of viruses and spyware targeting mobile devices and protection from Web- based threats, such as phishing sites that probe for personal and sensitive information.
With McAfee Mobile Security, consumers can now access the following features and functionality in a single download:
• Back-up and restore data to help protect sensitive information and irreplaceable photos. Even if the device is missing, it can be backed up before it is wiped clean of information
• Protection against misuse (such as excessive phone charges) as well as safeguarding personal data with remote locking capabilities
• An audible alarm to help users find the device or disrupt a thief, and or pop-up a notification with instructions for returning the device
• Remotely remove data from a lost or stolen device via the McAfee Web portal, mobile Web portal or via a SMS message from a buddy device
• 24/7 real-time anti-malware protection against viruses, worms and spyware, Trojan horses and battery-sapping malware
• Protection from malicious Web sites, phishing, identity theft, and credit card fraud when shopping online. SiteAdvisor software for Android provides colour-coded site ratings that appear right next to the search results, allowing Android users to confidently browse and search the mobile Web
• Management of mobile device protection allows consumers to quickly execute needed security tasks, backup, locate, wipe, etc. via the McAfee Web portal and a simple device interface
• All backed by McAfee Labs with its 24/7 global presence and dedicated team of threat researchers
The WaveSecure Tablet Edition offers Android users with WiFi the ability to find their missing device with alarm and location tracking, prevent misuse with remote lock and wipe and preserve important memories and personal data with remote backup, even from a lost or misplaced device. Users can also trigger an audible alarm to help them find the device or disrupt a thief, and send a brief SMS message with instructions for returning it.
“With device growth eclipsing PCs, Canadians are increasingly concerned about the security of mobile devices and require tools that can protect not only their personal information, but can provide safeguards for business data should they use their device for work,” said James Galpin, McAfee Canada’s Consumer Manager and Security Specialist. “Consumers face the same threats on mobile devices as they do in the online world except it is far easier to misplace your device than your personal computer. Canadians can be hacked, infected or phished on a mobile device just as easily as they can online.”
Availability and Pricing
McAfee Mobile Security and WaveSecure software are available in the following languages: Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, French (European and Canadian), German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (European and Brazilian), Swedish, Spanish (European and Mexican) and Russian. McAfee Mobile Security software is available as an annual subscription of CDN$29.99 per year from McAfee and the Android Market. McAfee WaveSecure software is available as an annual subscription of CDN$19.99 from McAfee and the Android Market.
* The online survey of 1,500 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, was completed over the period May 24-26, 2011 by Leger Marketing. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
About McAfee
McAfee, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems, networks, and mobile devices around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the Web more securely. Backed by its unrivaled Global Threat Intelligence, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. McAfee is relentlessly focused on constantly finding new ways to keep our customers safe. http://www.mcafee.com
McAfee Canada is headquartered in Markham, Ontario, with regional offices across Canada. The company’s Consumer Software Research and Development facility in based in Waterloo, Ontario.