Sophos introduces Intercept X for mobile threat defense

Sophos, provider of next-generation cybersecurity, today introduced Sophos Intercept X for Mobile with new security capabilities for Chrome OS devices and improved mobile threat defense for Android and iOS devices.

Sophos today 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 twenty newly discovered applications with nearly 600 million alleged installations, as reported by Google.

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.