Preview: Norton Mobile Security For Android Phones

If you're carrying an Android-powered smartphone, you might want to consider this new mobile security app from Symantec. It also includes antimalware protection and call screening.

"One of the first places people often turn to when searching for antivirus protection for their new computer is Symantec's Norton suite of security tools. The company is now looking to extend that protection beyond the PC to your mobile phone through its Norton Mobile Security app. This app, although currently in beta, adds an extra layer of protection to your phone well above just having a lock screen.

With the Norton Mobile Security application, you set up a secret passphrase and select "buddies" either from your phone book or by manually entering the number. Phone numbers on that buddy list can then send a text to your phone along with your passphrase to either lock down your phone, or in extreme cases, wipe both the phone memory and SD card. So if your phone were ever stolen, a simple text would render it useless to the would-be thief. Also available is an option to lock down your SIM card should the thief try to swap it out."