The application will prevent unauthorized factory resets and rooting attempts

Jun 14, 2014 16:57 GMT  ·  By

LG G3, the latest flagship Android-based handset from South Korean mobile phone maker LG Electronics, arrives on the marker with a pre-installed flavor of the McAfee Mobile Security application aimed at delivering new anti-theft features to users.

According to LG and McAfee, the app was designed to protect users from unauthorized factory resets and also comes with a Kill Switch so that they can disable the handset remotely in the event that it has been lost or stolen.

The application will allow owners of LG G3 handsets to easily wipe their devices clean, so that their personal information remains safe at all times.

The two companies also note that the feature was pre-loaded on LG G3 as a countermeasure to the increasingly large number of malware and cyber-attacks against smartphones these days.

“We are working with McAfee to offer a customized version of its award-winning mobile security software that leverages built-in LG capabilities to make security an integral part of LG G3,” says Dr. Ramchan Woo, head of smartphone planning division of LG.

“The implementation of the Kill Switch feature is just one of several specific measures we are taking to ensure that our users can easily and comprehensively protect themselves from the growing threat landscape, both physical and online.”

Moreover, the duo notes that LG G3 actually sports a brand-new flavor of McAfee Mobile Security, one that delivers features such as antivirus, data backup, remote lock and wipe, and remote tracking.

At the same time, they note that users will be able to take advantage of all of these features at no cost for the next five years.

As for the aforementioned Kill Switch feature, it was included in the software as an additional layer of protection, enabling users to easily control their handsets even if they are lost or stolen.

A McAfee Mobile Security lock screen will also block factory resets and rooting attempts, as it requires password authentication. The feature can be controlled either from the handset itself, or from a web console.

“We are working with LG to build and implement unique security measures that empower users to live a safer, worry-free digital life,” says John Giamatteo, senior vice president and general manager, McAfee consumer business.

“Partnering with global mobile leaders such as LG is one of the many ways that we’re working tirelessly to deliver innovative solutions that enable safer mobile computing for consumers.”

The McAfee Mobile Security has been pre-installed on G3, while the Kill Switch was automatically activated on the device starting May 28, the two have also announced.