Today is the 10th anniversary of the birth of Avast Mobile Security (AMS). For ten years, we are very proud to help Android users improve the security, privacy and performance of their phones!
A bit of history: When AMS was first launched in December 2011, it was a free product that included the following features:
- Virus scanner -Monitor files on your phone
- Private consultant -Determine which apps can access your phone
- Application management -Lets you close the application or get system information from it
- Net shield -Monitor malicious activity while browsing
- Phone interception -Block unwanted calls and text messages
- Firewall -Block access to certain applications from Wi-Fi
- Anti-thief -If your SIM card is replaced, details of the new number and phone location will be sent to you, an alarm will sound, your phone will be locked remotely, and private data will be erased
Maybe you remember the video we made many years ago, such as What happens to the lost smartphone? with Protect Android phones and tablets.
For about the past ten years, Android users and AMS have been facing some very serious mobile threats. Here are some historical highlights:
2010: Trojan SMS
Fake apps will send SMS messages to users of services that pretend to be utility apps, thereby providing malicious actors with a direct way to obtain financial information or receive payments.
2011: GinMaster, GingerMaster
Use the GingerBreak vulnerability to gain root access to infected phones, especially those that run the Android GingerBread operating system. First seen in mainland China.
2014: Robot Jack
One of the first RATs (remote access tools) for Android. It allows malicious software authors and jealous partners to remotely control the device and spy on messages, emails, browsing history, and location. Today, this type of threat is called tracking software.
2014: Simplocker
In short (!), Simplocker scans accessible files on the phone’s SD card or external storage device. Then it encrypts files with certain extensions (.jpg, .doc., .pdf, .txt, etc.). Next, before the user regained access to the encrypted file, a ransom request was sent to the user.
2016: BankBot / RedAlert
One of the most complicated parts of Android malicious software once.The comprehensive capabilities of other malware (e.g. Spyware, RAT, etc.) to steal the user’s bank credentials or commit bank fraud. By using a pop-up screen to simulate a bank login screen, it does a great job of hiding itself from users.
As you can see, the AMS team never rests when it comes to protecting Android users. We are always monitoring and preventing new threats. As technology changes and the world develops, our response is also changing. Our Android AV application product manager Michal Skvor showed us behind the scenes of working with the AMS team:
“AMS is not only one of the most downloaded mobile security applications in the world, but it is also a top product recognized by respected independent experts in its 10-year history.
AMS’ dedicated team of mobile experts always manages to respond to rapid security threats. At the same time, they also adjusted the application according to the evolving Android ecosystem and user needs. Since I joined the team around Avast Mobile Security, I am still amazed by all the smart and talented top domain experts who are fully committed to their main goal: to protect everyone’s digital freedom.
Mobile devices are becoming more and more part of our lives, and the Avast mobile security team never slows down. In fact, there are still many major changes in the pipeline, so stay tuned! “
What is AMS like today?
The latest version of Avast Mobile Security includes a lot of new features, including the following user favorites:
- Smart scan -Scan all apps installed on your device and notify you about security risks
- Net shield -Protect your system from threats while browsing the web, detect sensitive and malicious and scam/phishing websites
- Anti-thief -Help you protect your data and restore your device in case of loss or theft
- Wireless scanning -Scan the Wi-Fi network that your device is connected to and identify specific vulnerabilities
- Virtual private network (Advanced)-Hide your online activity and change your location when accessing content
- Photo safe -Use PIN code to protect access to photos, encrypt and hide photos
- Hacker alert -If any password linked to your email address has been compromised due to a hacking attack or leak, you will be warned
- App lock -Use PIN, pattern or fingerprint to protect your sensitive apps
- Garbage cleaner -Analyze the storage space on your device and show how much junk files are used
- Application insights -Provide information about how often you use installed apps on your device, the amount of data they consume, and most importantly, which permissions each app has access to and their respective scores, to help you identify apps that might undermine your privacy program
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Avast Mobile Security, we provide 40% discount for new users in the first year! We hope you enjoy using this product, just as we like to build it the way it is today-and the way it will be tomorrow.
