Discover Yahoo! With Your Friends

Explore news, videos, and much more based on what your friends are reading and watching. Publish your own activity and retain full control.

To get started, first

YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    AVG and Symantec Smartphone Security Program FAQs

    By JC Torpey | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Mon, Mar 28, 2011
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    With recent data breaches, fraudulent security certificates, and mobile malware incidents increasing (thus plaguing smartphones and tablet PCs), security software makers are developing various protection programs especially to run on mobile devices.

    Anti-virus, identity protection, and other security programs are more important now than they ever were, especially considering new malware is constantly released into the wild, including various malware toolkits now available to anyone with $100 in pocket money.

    Let's look at two new programs released this week: AVG Mobilation and Symantec VIP Access for Mobile, including the details about what they do and how they protect mobile devices and their users.

    What is AVG Mobilation?

    AVG released the AVG Mobilation program for the Android OS platform. AVG updated its smartphone antivirus application called ANTIVIRUSFree, to run specifically on tablet PCs based on the Android operating system; however, although it was created for tablets, it also works on Android based smartphones as well and is currently available in the Android Marketplace free of charge.

    How does AVG Mobilation work?

    Because AVG Mobilation is essentially an anti-virus program for Android tablets, as it works very much like the AVG's PC anti-virus program does. AVG Mobilation various functions include the ability for the program to scan for viruses in email, downloads, and text or SMS messages. It also allows for on-demand scanning and scheduled scanning.

    What are some of the other features offered by AVG Mobilation?

    AVG Mobilation also offers theft protection. Using the Android device's GPS features, the program can find a lost or stolen tablet, as well remotely manage applications, lock, and wipe the device's memory if it is stolen. AVG Mobilation also allows the user to block spam SMS messages.

    What about identity protection?

    AVG Mobilation does not offer strict identity protection; however, using the anti-virus portion of the application can stop malware from invading the mobile device and keep private data safe from exploitation.

    What is the VIP Access for Mobile program?

    Symantec released the Symantec VeriSign Identity Protection Access (VIP) for Mobile for Apple's iOS platform, although it does offer variations compatible with other smartphone platforms, such as Android and Symbian, among others. It is an application that protects the iPad, iPad users, and their online accounts. It is currently available in the Apple App Store free of charge.

    How does VIP Access for Mobile work?

    Symantec's VIP Access for Mobile program works by adding a layer of protection to mobile devices by allowing the users to create an extra "unique security code," or a one-time password. Once the user creates this code, the user is then required to enter that code in addition to the usual password and log in required by the websites he or she visits that are part of the VIP Network.

    How do I use VIP Access for Mobile?

    After downloading and installing the application, launch it, and the unique access code will display on the screen; this VIP Access credential is used to register with VIP Network member websites. It is also used to login on future visits and can be used from desktop computers as well.

    How many websites belong to the VIP network?

    Currently, about 750 websites belong to the VIP Network and include websites form every industry. Some of these sites are quite popular, and include PayPal, Adobe Systems, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), EBay, GEICO, Radio Shack, Homeland Security, and many more. For each website visited from a mobile device with VIP Access for Mobile enabled, the user must register their extra code with that site.

    How can I tell is a site is registered with the VIP Network?

    Any website part of the VIP Network will display the VeriSign Identity Protection Logo somewhere on the page. If the site claims to be part of the network, but does not display the logo and is not on the list of websites, then do not trust that it is a part of the VIP Network.

    Jessica (JC) Torpey is a self-taught computer technician with more than 10 years experience in the field. JC's passion is studying the various political and business aspects of the technology industry. Combining that knowledge with her love of computers, JC uses it to influence her writing.

     

    There are no comments yet

    [ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
    [ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

    News For You

    Loading...

    US News »

    • Jury deliberates sixth day in John Edwards' trial Colleen Jenkins
      Former U.S. Senator Edwards and daughter Cate leave for lunch during the jury deliberations at the federal courthouse in Greensboro

      GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Jurors began their sixth day of deliberations on Friday in former Senator John Edwards' federal campaign finance case, with hundreds of trial exhibits at their disposal to help decide the ex-presidential candidate's fate. The 12 members of the panel in recent days requested closer …

    • Analysis: Property taxes give NY Westchester edge over peers Joan Gralla

      NEW YORK (Reuters) - Westchester County has the lowest median household income of the four wealthy New York counties near New York City, but it alone has bragging rights to something that would be the envy of any municipality in these times of fiscal trouble: a top AAA credit rating. One secret lies in Westchester's higher …

    • Murder arraignment 33 years after New York boy vanished Joseph Ax
      New York Police Department Commissioner Kelly announces the arrest of Hernandez in relation to the case of Patz in New York

      NEW YORK (Reuters) - A man who confessed to strangling Etan Patz faced arraignment for murder on Friday, exactly 33 years after the 6-year-old boy vanished from his New York neighborhood and soon changed the way the nation responds to missing children. Pedro Hernandez, 51, who worked as a stock boy in a small food store …

    • Hurricane Bud churns towards Mexico's Pacific coast David Alire Garcia
      Hurricane Bud appoaches landfall in Mexico

      MANZANILLO, Mexico (Reuters) - Hurricane Bud lost some strength as it moved closer to Mexico's Pacific coast on Friday and was forecast to hit land south of the popular tourist town of Puerto Vallarta, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Bud, which weakened overnight to a Category 2 storm, is still expected to dump …

    • New Mexico wildfires merge; blazes rage in five states Zelie Pollon
      A view of the Gladiator Fire near Crown King, Arizona

      SANTA FE, New Mexico (Reuters) - Two raging wildfires in southwest New Mexico merged on Thursday to become the biggest blaze among fires that have torched forest and brush in parts of five Southwestern states. Blazes in rugged, mountainous areas of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah have forced the evacuation …

     
    One money saving tip you probably haven't tried
    Add your ideas and help make it happen. Join the conversation.
    Episode 11: Hard times for Hometown Hardware
    Should Bill and Donna take on more risk to boost their business?
    One small business owner surprises Bill and Donna
    How Josh's comment on a Remake America video laid the groundwork for something bigger.
    Learn more about Remake America »