IT security expert Avira announced today the general availability of Avira Free Android Security software which can remotely locate, lock or erase an Android phone anywhere in the world to maintain security. It can even make the phone ‘scream’ to help you find it hiding behind the couch cushions.
Avira Free Android Security software can be downloaded for free from the Google Apps Marketplace.
“Since malware threats for Android are still relatively uncommon, we first focused on anti-theft and remote device management features in Avira Free Android Security,” said Travis Witteveen, COO of Avira. “We felt these features are something our customers need and want today, and as the threat landscape evolves we will add anti-malware features as needed.”
The Avira Free Android Security app works in concert with a Web-based console locate, lock-up and manage Android phones remotely:
- Remote Scream – From the Web console, trigger the phone to scream for 20 seconds to help locate the device (or scare the person who took it). See video.
- Remote Lock – If the phone goes missing, the owner can lock the device with a 4-digit PIN and display a “call owner” phone number on the screen. Unlike the remote wipe features in other software, remote lock will completely secure all data on the phone but it can be unlocked when the device is eventually found.
- Location Tracking – The Avira app on the Android device can send real-time location coordinates back to a display on Google Maps.
For business users and families with lots of phones, Avira Free Android Security comes with Avira Android Web Console, which lets you manage up to five phones remotely. In addition to the locating and locking features explained above, the Web Console lets you handle behind-the-scenes chores like activating/deactivating phones, remotely checking phone activity, current battery level, device model number and device IMEI number. Never again will you need to ask someone to read the IMEI number out loud to you.
Avira Free Android Security is compatible with Android versions 2.2 (Froyo) and 2.3 (Gingerbread) and is available now for download in English.
Links
- To download Avira Free Android Security: http://www.avira.com/android-download
- For demonstration video: www.avira.com/android
- For screen images: http://www.avira.com/android-download
- Join Avira on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/avira
- Follow Avira on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/avira
About Avira
Avira stands for extreme reliability and internet freedom around the globe.
The company was founded 25 years ago on Tjark Auerbach's promise to "make software that does good things for my friends and family." Because of Avira's security expertise and award-winning antivirus software, today more than 100 million consumers and small businesses live free of spyware, phishing, worms and other internet based threats. The company delivers IT-security protection to computers, servers and networks both directly and in the cloud.
In addition to protecting the online world, Avira's CEO promotes well being in the offline world through the Auerbach Foundation, which supports charitable and social projects. The philosophy of the foundation is to help people to help themselves.
For more information, please visit www.avira.com or join the community at www.facebook.com/avira.