Kaspersky Tablet Security Now Available As Free Download, Providing Advanced Protection From Cyberthreats and Tablet Theft

Woburn, MA –March 25, 2013 –Kaspersky Lab today announced a new version of Kaspersky Tablet Security, built for Android tablets. Kaspersky Tablet Security now offers a new Alarm anti-theft feature to help find lost tablets, and is able to process system scans faster than ever.  All core security features and anti-theft tools are fully functional in the free trial version of Kaspersky Tablet Security, which is now available for free download, with automated premium features available for purchase directly from the tablet.

Tablet Malware and Theft on the Rise

The past two years have seriously changed the status quo in the mobile security market.  According to Kaspersky Lab data, the number of Android targeted threats grew 200-fold in 2011, while more threats were discovered in the first quarter of 2012 than in all of 2011. In effect, malware for Android has displaced all other mobile threats: about 99% of all mobile malware targets this platform.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that cybercriminals are targeting Android tablets, since tablets are not that different from traditional laptops or desktops - they can also be used to conduct online transactions, read emails and browse social networks.  All these activities involve entering personal data, such as logins and passwords, which are of particular interest to cybercriminals. Unfortunately, few people realize the need to protect the data stored on tablets, making them easy targets for cybercriminals.

Another problem often faced by all tablet owners is device loss or theft. According to a study conducted by O+K Research in 2012, almost 1 out of every 10 tablet owners have been parted from their devices due to loss or theft.  The same research shows 1 out of every 6 people owns a tablet, meaning a massive number of users would benefit from the ability to search for a lost or stolen device and prevent sensitive data stored on the device from falling into the wrong hands. All of these needs are fully addressed by Kaspersky Tablet Security.

Product Highlights

• Antivirus Protection

Kaspersky Tablet Security provides trusted protection against malware using cutting-edge technologies developed by Kaspersky Lab, including proactive and cloud-based technologies which help to detect new and unknown threats in real time. Kaspersky Tablet Security provides on-demand scanning free of charge; and the premium version it can also be configured to perform scanning automatically, or on a schedule.

• Web Protection

The premium version of Kaspersky Tablet Security reliably protects mobile Internet users against malicious and phishing links, which are the number one method used by cybercriminals to infect devices or steal personal or financial data.

• Anti-Theft Protection and Web Management

The Anti-Theft module, which is fully functional in the free version of Kaspersky Tablet Security, can be used to quickly determine a missing device’s whereabouts using GPS tracking or based on the locations of nearby Wi-Fi networks. Users will also appreciate the new Alarm feature – as soon as it is activated, the tablet emits a loud siren, which continues until the owner finds the device and enters a secret code.  Users can also remotely activate the tablet’s camera to take a series of “mugshot” photos to identify whoever is using the missing device.

If the tablet cannot be found for any reason, the owner can remotely block the device and remove sensitive data from its memory. To easily manage all the capabilities of the Anti-Theft module, users can set up an account on Kaspersky Lab’s Anti-Theft Web Management Portal so their anti-theft tools – including locking a missing tablet or deleting all personal data from the device – can be accessed from anywhere.

Pricing, Availability, and Upgrade Options

Kaspersky Tablet Security will be available from the Kaspersky Lab online store and wherever quality software is sold in the U.S. and Canada.  Registered users of previous versions can upgrade to the new Kaspersky Tablet Security free of charge, but they must reinstall the application. 

A free version of Kaspersky Tablet Security is available to all; the premium version is available for $19.95 for a one-year subscription.  Features offered in the premium version that are not available in the free version are:

• Automatic scans of downloaded applications and scheduled full system scans as the user prefers
• Real-time protection from emerging threats through Kaspersky Lab’s cloud network
• Secure web browsing that prevents users from visiting dangerous websites, including fraudulent phishing websites designed to steal your identity and money

About Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Lab is the world’s largest privately held vendor of endpoint protection solutions. The company is ranked among the world’s top four vendors of security solutions for endpoint users*. Throughout its more than 15-year history Kaspersky Lab has remained an innovator in IT security and provides effective digital security solutions for large enterprises, SMBs and consumers. Kaspersky Lab, with its holding company registered in the United Kingdom, currently operates in almost 200 countries and territories across the globe, providing protection for over 300 million users worldwide. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

* The company was rated fourth in the IDC rating Worldwide Endpoint Security Revenue by Vendor, 2011. The rating was published in the IDC report "Worldwide Endpoint Security 2012–2016 Forecast and 2011 Vendor Shares (IDC #235930, July 2012). The report ranked software vendors according to earnings from sales of endpoint security solutions in 2011.

For the latest in-depth information on security threat issues and trends, please visit:

Securelist | Information about Viruses, Hackers and Spam

Follow @Securelist on Twitter

Threatpost | The First Stop for Security News

Follow @Threatpost on Twitter