Sophos introduces
Intercept X for Mobile
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.
S
“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
58
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.” u
Issue 22
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