14 DAY TRIAL // Following the launch of Google's G1 two weeks ago, SMobile Systems announced that it would release one piece of dedicated antivirus software called VirusGuard. The antivirus intends to protect all phones running on an Android platform.
No later than last week, an important flaw was discovered into G1's open source developed mostly by Google. The vulnerability seems to affect the integrated web browser and would've enabled hackers to remotely monitor and record what keys the owner of the device pressed. Thus, they could easily steal personal information such as logins and passwords, which were used for online banking or for shopping on various websites.
"Days after the release of Android, the first exploit became public," said Daniel V. Hoffman, chief technology officer, SMobile Systems. "VirusGuard allows users to react quickly to new Malware-related threats and to protect their devices without having to wait days or weeks for an operating system update.”
Even if Google developed a special patch in approximately two days after the flaw was discovered, it became obvious that an open source like Android needs serious protection. Therefore, SMobile Systems developed the first mobile security solution for the Android operating System.
"Android's open-source architecture is fantastic because it allows anyone to develop new applications for the phones running on this system. For SMobile, we believe that creating a virus protection solution is necessary to help thwart the potential for malware attacks that are coming and those that exist today,” said Neil Book, president, SMobile Systems. "It is our mission to keep users informed of threats we detect and to protect consumer and business users from the very real dangers that await a potentially exploitable device like the new G1."
VirusGuard for Android embeds definitions for over 400 known instances and various mobile malware. These will eliminate the possibility of infecting your Android device with any virus, worm and trojan, which can easily cross-over between devices via the memory card. SMobile Systems promises to improve the newly launched mobile security solution in the coming weeks, by adding firewall, anti-spam and even lock, wipe and backup for the Android operating system.
For the moment, VirusGuard is only available at the developer's website for $10USD, but it will be listed on the Android Market Place at the beginning of 2009.