McAfee Mobile Security offers enhanced privacy protection

McAfee announced an updated version of McAfee Mobile Security offering new privacy features including the Multi-user App Profile function which allows consumers to create multiple user profiles or “safe zones” on one device with customized or restricted access to apps.

Supported by McAfee Global Threat Intelligence, the premium version of McAfee Mobile Security is an all-inclusive solution that includes the industry’s best-in-class app privacy features including app privacy reporting and call and SMS filtering.

McAfee found that more than one quarter of mobile apps are likely more than just adware and may be collecting and handing over precise GPS location, account, and activity information to criminals.

To protect consumers against the abusive permissions of these risky apps, McAfee Mobile Security premium now features the Multi-user App Profile function that allows users to create a “safe zone” for kids, friends, family members or even strangers that may pick up or misuse their devices. It also includes new Data Exposure Analysis, which gives consumers the ability to see for themselves the level of risk their apps may pose.

In addition, the premium version will include a Hidden Device Admin Detector feature, which protects users from Trojans. This feature is also included as part of the McAfee Mobile Innovations app available to Android on Google Play.

“When consumers contemplate securing their smartphones and tablets, they often think in terms of their susceptibility to mobile malware, overlooking the very real threat to their privacy should their devices become lost or stolen,” said Ari Jaaksi, senior vice president and general manager, mobile engineering and operations at McAfee. “With McAfee Mobile Security basic we’re helping consumers protect their privacy at a baseline level at no cost, which we hope will help encourage users to take a more proactive role in securing their mobile devices and employ secure computing practices and protections.”