14 DAY TRIAL // McAfee announced it has reached an agreement to acquire tenCube, the developer of the WaveSecure security solution which protects the mobile phone, data and privacy in the event of theft or loss. McAfee plans to combine tenCube’s locate, lock, backup and wipe technology with Trust Digital's enterprise mobility management solution in order to deliver a single platform that addresses the management and security of all devices types, for both the average consumer and the enterprise.
"There has been a tremendous amount of innovation in the past year with smartphones and other mobile devices, which really puts McAfee at a tipping point," said Todd Gebhart, executive vice president of consumer, mobile and small business at McAfee. "With our more than 20 years of expertise in securing the endpoint, nearly a decade of experience securing mobile devices and a vast partner ecosystem, we are well positioned to out innovate and deliver the broadest mobile platform available."
Available for Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, Windows Mobile and Java platforms, the WaveSecure security solution enables users to remotely control their devices, manage the data on their mobiles, ensure privacy in the event of phone theft or loss and enhance the possibility of recovering the phone. McAfee plans to offer a child locator service using tenCube's technology.
In case of phone loss, the WaveSecure service allows users to locate their device and pinpoint its location. If the phone has been stolen, users can remotely lock it and wipe all personal data present both on the device and external memory cards. The mobile automatically enters lock-down mode when a new SIM card is detected and informs the user's emergency contact of its location. The locked phone shows a permanent message on the screen which explains how to return it to its owner. Also, the service allows users to backup and restore SMS and contacts online.
"Mobile devices have become an extension of our lives," said Darius Cheung, CEO of tenCube. "Through this acquisition, McAfee can broaden its security capabilities and offer users protection and remote control of the phone whether it is in their possession or not. This means no more worries about the whereabouts of your phone or losing personal contacts, photos or messages."
The WaveSecure service provided by the Singapore-based company tenCube is currently available in English, Chinese and Indonesian. Following the completion of the acquisition, McAfee plans to broaden language support and couple the service with its endpoint protection and cloud capabilities.