INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
Sophos introduces
Intercept X for Mobile
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S
ophos, a global leader in next-
generation cybersecurity, has
introduced Sophos Intercept X for
Mobile with new security capabilities for
Chrome OS devices and improved mobile
threat defence for Android and iOS devices.
Sophos has also published research,
Fleeceware Apps Persist on the Play Store,
that details new findings on Fleeceware
applications that overcharge unsuspecting
consumers for functionality widely available
in other free or low-cost apps. First
discovered by SophosLabs on Google Play
in September 2019, Fleeceware remains a
problem with more than 20 newly discovered
applications with nearly 600 million alleged
installations, as reported by Google.
“Fleeceware and other unscrupulous app
developers are walking a fine line to avoid
breaking hard and fast app store rules. This
sneaky behaviour is unethical, but not illegal,”
said Dan Schiappa, Chief Product Officer at
Sophos. “Possibly more worrisome are the
stealthy cybercriminals who increasingly
target mobile devices to carry out attacks for
financial gain or as an ‘easy in’ to connected
corporate networks. No mobile device is
immune and attackers are counting on
unprotected devices and unpatched flaws to
carry out their attacks. Intercept X for Mobile
protects users from risky applications and
malicious content and keeps business data on
mobile devices secure.”
Leveraging the same Deep Learning anti-
malware technology used in Intercept X
for Windows, macOS and server, Intercept
X for Mobile protects users, their devices
and their data from known and never
before seen mobile threats. A completely
redesigned interface simplifies security
management and aids accessibility for
users with disabilities:
• Device Security: Intercept X for Mobile
continuously monitors for and alerts
users and IT administrators to signs
of potential compromise so they can
rapidly and automatically remediate
issues and revoke access to corporate
resources. Compliance checks detect
jailbreaking, rooting, operating system
versions and more, informing users and
IT administrators of violations and taking
automatic action.
• Network Security: Intercept X for
Mobile monitors network connections for
suspicious activity in real time, warning
users and IT administrators of potential
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks. Web
filtering and URL checking also stop
access to known bad sites, protecting
users from unsuitable content, and SMS
phishing detection spots malicious URLs.
• Application Security: Intercept X for
Mobile detects malicious and suspicious
applications installed on devices,
protecting against malware, ransomware
and potentially unwanted apps like
Fleeceware. Integration with Unified
Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions
like Sophos Mobile and Microsoft Intune
enable administrators to build conditional
access policies, restricting access to
applications, data and corporate
resources when threats are detected.
• Chromebook Security: The new
Chromebook Security extension protects
Chrome OS users from unsuitable and
malicious web content, provides app
white and block-listing, and lets IT
administrators report on device status
and configuration.
“There’s a false sense of understanding that
organisations don’t have the right to secure
employee-owned devices, but that couldn’t
be farther from the truth. No device is off
limits to an attacker and left unsecured,
mobile devices introduce significant risk,”
said Scott Larson, Owner of Technology By
Design. “Intercept X for Mobile provides the
best-in-class protection needed to secure
personal and company-issued devices in
today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape.” n
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