Symantec Releases Free Security Software for Android

Symantec, well known for its extensive lineup of security products on both the Windows and Mac platforms, today released Norton Mobile Security Lite, a freeware security product aimed at devices running Google's Android OS.

Like desktop antivirus software, Mobile Security Lite scans downloaded files (and, optionally, files on inserted SD cards) and compares them against an automatically updated definitions database in order to detect malware. It also helps to secure your data by offering you the ability to lock your phone remotely. Symantec claims that the product does all of this without slowing your device down or draining its battery, though your mileage may vary.

Norton Mobile Security 2.0, a paid version available for $2.99 a month or $29.99 annually, adds to this feature set the ability to locate your phone and to wipe it remotely, among a few others. 

Android's ability to install and run apps from just about anywhere is well-liked by fans of the platform, but this openness also leaves Android devices open to a growing malware threat. As smartphones and tablets become more prevalent (and thus, bigger targets), they'll have to worry about many of the same security concerns that plague more traditional PCs today.

Norton Mobile Security Lite is available for free from the Android Market, and requires an Android device with version 2.x of the software and 1.8MB of available storage.

Source: PC Mag