(Mark Huffman @ ConsumerAffairs) Security experts are constantly telling us that we should have some kind of software protection for our mobile devices. Hackers and scammers are increasingly targeting the mobile world because it's a huge and growing target and it's mostly unprotected.
Fortunately there's a wide range of security software and apps that can provide protection and peace of mind, usually for less than what you pay to protect your PC. Here are a few products to consider if you are concerned about the security of your mobile device.
BullGuard Mobile Security
BullGuard Mobile Security 10 runs on Android, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile phones. In addition to providing antivirus protection, BullGuard scans all your apps, filters spam, blocks malicious code and offers a SIM card lock.
When you open an online account you have the ability to back up your smartphone data as well as lock and wipe your phone remotely, should it be lost or stolen. With a remote wipe, all you have to do is go to your PC, access your remote wipe settings and wipe. The software will access your phone and return the device to its factory settings, erasing your personal information and data.
BullGuard Mobile Security 10 costs around $21 and, while it doesn't provide protection for the iPhone, another product – Lookout Premium – does.
Lookout Premium
It offers a robust antivirus protection, scans apps, filters annoying spam, is able to lock the SIM Card and blocks malicious code. If you misplace your phone you can activate an alarm that will help you located the device or see its location using GPS.
If you suspect it has been stolen you can wipe the data using your PC and erase the data saved on the device. It allows you to back up your data to a cloud-based account so you can restore it if the device turns up. Lookout Premium costs about $30.
McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee is a familiar name in security software, having provided antivirus products for PCs for years. McAfee Mobile Security also provides real-time protection, scans files, downloads, apps and the SD card for dangerous content. An antivirus shield keeps spyware and phishing sites at bay.
The McAfee product offers unlimited cloud storage for your data, as well as videos and photographs. If a phone is lost or stolen, you can restore your data from your cloud account to a new phone.
Like other products McAfee Mobile Security allows you to lock and wipe the device, using your online account. The package costs around $30.
Norton Smartphone Security
Norton is another name from the PC security past. Norton Smartphone Security 5.0 offers antivirus, antispam and firewall protection. With the firewall, you can enable or limit access by setting the appropriate level of protection you want. This package can also reduce annoying spam in both text and multimedia formats.
Among its features, Norton Smartphone Security incorporates automatic scanning. When it detects a potentially infected file, it is placed in quarantine where it can do no harm. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can lock or wipe it by simply sending a text message to the phone with the correct command and password.
Businesses that allow their employees to use their personal smartphones to access the corporate network have a big concern. They have to ensure that an employee's tainted smartphone doesn't compromise the network.
Sophos Mobile Device Management
Sophos, an enterprise security software company, offers Mobile Device Management, which supports a number of platforms, lets companies manage and control mobile devices accessing the network – both company-owned devices and those owned by employees.
Using a web-based admin console, you can manage apps and control access to company resources such as email.
As smartphone have proliferated there has been a debate about the need for and effectiveness of mobile security apps. Lately, many experts are arguing they are well worth the investment.
Popular Mechanics recently suggested that skipping security software was high among "The 10 Worst Things You're Doing With Your Smartphone." The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says fewer than one in 20 smartphones and tablets are equipped with security software and less than 50% of smartphone owners use password protection on their devices.
