Blue Coat Provides Protection for Android

Blue Coat Systems has announced that its K9 web protection browser for Android will be available for all Android mobile devices in India with immediate effect. The new application protects individuals and families from malicious threats—including phishing and malware—on mobile phones and tablets. Available free of charge from the Google Play market, the application also provides real-time filtering of content that is not appropriate for young children, including pornography, hate/violence, illegal drugs and gambling.

Ambarish Deshpande, MD (Sales), Blue Coat India, said, “The move is part of the company’s vision to offer free and safe internet access on mobile phones and tablets. Unlike home computers, mobile devices lacked basic protection against web-based threats, which exposes consumers to threats such as malware and phishing. This lack of protection is particularly concerning, given the risky behaviour displayed by consumers when they engage with their mobile devices. To make matters worse, a high number of these users are children.”

The Indian smart phone market is expected to record a healthy growth in 2012 and beyond. According to Convergence Catalyst – a telecommunications research and advisory services company, India is expected to have between 18 million to 20 million smart phone users in 2012.  It also stated that mobile devices with Android operating systems will be the second highest selling devices in India with a 28.2% market share.

“The adoption of these mobile devices has moved faster than the security required to protect the users of those devices, creating a considerable challenge for parents that want to provide a consistently safe Web experience for their children,” said Steve Daheb CMO and Senior VP (Corporate and Business Development), Blue Coat.

Daheb also added that K9 web protection browser for Android is the first solution to provide parents with protection they can rely on.