McAfee Mobile Security 2.0 (for Android)

Last month McAfee launched Mobile Security 2.0, a comprehensive mobile security suite that adds app auditing and text/voice blocking features on top of the powerful anti-virus and anti-theft protection first seen in last year's?McAfee Mobile Security ($29.99 direct). This is important, given that malicious apps are a prime malware vector. With these two key additions, feature-wise McAfee stacks up to the Editors' Choice Lookout Mobile. On the downside, it sends alerts liberally and takes time to configure to make it feel as "invisible" as other mobile security apps.

McAfee Mobile Security 2.0 is free to download and use for 7 days, then will cost you $29.99 a year. Existing McAfee Mobile Security subscribers get the update for free. The tool is also available for BlackBerry and Symbian users, but without the app protection feature.?

I tested this app on an app-laden Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.0.2 and a factory reset Samsung Galaxy S II with Android 2.3.5.

Getting Started
Getting started with McAfee took several minutes, which can feel like a lifetime for a mobile app (by comparison, Lookout and BitDefender apps took seconds). After installing the app, you need to register with a valid phone number, add "safe" buddies who will be alerted if your device is stolen or SIM card replaced, and set up a PIN. You'll need a PIN you don't mind entering every time you open the app or to re-activate the app when your phone enters Sleep mode. I understand the merits, but in reality it's a nuisance. Now you're set. McAfee's home screen displays all its features: malware scanning, app protection, call and text filters, backup, restore/wipe/lock, and a safe browser

Anti-virus Protection
Unfortunately here at PCMag, we don't have the facilities to test live mobile malware, so I can't speak of the thoroughness of the scans or speed of malware removal. When the major test labs roll our Android malware testing, we'll be reporting those results. McAfee says it scans all attachments, memory cards, applications, Internet downloads, and text messages, and either removes or reports the malware from your device. A scan takes up to a minute or two, longer than Lookout and BitDefender, but I didn't detect any system slowdown while it was running. I was also able to run other applications without any noticeable lag. You can schedule your scans daily, weekly, or on-demand. Virus definitions are updated daily.

As far as Internet threats ago, the Android version blocks potential phishing sites, browser exploits, and malicious QR codes. However, to use this you have to launch your browser from within McAfee's app, which is a three-step process that might prevent people from using it. Lookout, BitDefender, F-Secure, and McAfee Family Protection automatically launch the protected browser when you try to open a link.

App Management
McAfee Mobile Security 2.0 adds an app management feature like those of BitDefender, F-Secure, and Lookout, one that alerts you every time you download an app and gives you a simplified overview of what permissions each app on your phone requires. When you tap into this section from the main menu, McAfee draws up a list of all the apps on your phone, including native apps like VZMessages (Verizon's text messaging app), and offers a simple, graphical view of the types of permissions required. Yes, you can just as easily find this information through your Android's native settings, but McAfee organizes this neatly to flag overly invasive permissions.

It can't block an individual permission?no security app can? but you can click to uninstall it you're uncomfortable with one of the permissions. For example a travel reservation app I use, Kayak, highlights permissions icons for Location, Network, and Contacts access. McAfee will also display all the websites your app can access?mostly third-party booking engines and ads in Kayak's case?and notes if the app poses any privacy risk. I'm not a big fan of apps collecting my location information, so I deleted it.

Once you've reviewed an app it gets removed from this list, though I would have preferred it to remain just so I can see an overview of all the apps' permissions whenever I want.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/1Lg-CJ0Oq-U/0,2817,2401007,00.asp

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