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April 3, 2008

Mobile software that assists recovery when lost

by yogesh

Mobile phone users today are not just using their phones just to make calls. Today consumers are more data driven storing annual profit forecasts or critical data into their smart mobile devices. In such a scenario if a mobile was to be misplaced or worse stolen, it could lead to grave consequences. A new tool from Kaspersky Lab might help you recover your lost/ stolen mobile phone. In addition to standard security offerings such as anti-spam and antivirus products, Kaspersky Mobile Security looks to help secure a phone if it goes missing. If you lose your phone, you will have the ability to send an SMS message that temporarily locks the device until it either is recovered, or wipes it clean of any stored data. This eliminates the risk of personal information falling into the wrong hands if it has been stolen (or simply left in the backseat of a cab). There’s an anti-theft component to the solution as well, if it’s a GSM phone and they switch the SIM card, not only will it block data on the phone, but it’s also going to call back on a preset number you give it and tell you the new number, which potentially gives you recourse to get it back. At a minimum, if it was stolen, you can go to the network carrier to say there’s someone using a stolen phone, here’s the new phone number, please take it off the network, and they would have the ability to do that. This technology is in effective if the thief has the ability to format the device on his own. In such a scenario, at least the critical data is not misused and the mobile ends up as a statistic.

For now, the tool runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0, and Symbian OS Versions 9.1 and 9.2 The Company is looking at other platforms, including RIM, iPhone, Android, and LiMo. The annual subscription for consumers is $29.95, with a corporate price still to be determined.
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