With the increased need for highly secure smartphones and computers, it makes sense that companies are looking for new ways to increase security.
Google's Android operating system is especially in need of security features, largely because of the fact that it is very open, leaving users vulnerable to viruses and other malware. Thankfully, Qualcomm has come up with a new way to try and defeat malware on Android smartphones.
The new system is called Qualcomm Snapdragon Smart Protect, and it essentially keeps tabs on apps to make sure there aren't any signs of malicious behavior. For example, if a user's screen is off and an app is trying to send an SMS message, the user will be alerted.
"Snapdragon Smart Protect supports deep on-device monitoring for nearly instantaneous notifications of detected privacy violations and malicious activity while also providing great system performance and battery life," said Qualcomm director of product management, Asaf Ashkenazi, in a statement.
The software only works for users of Android smartphones who have Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, however, most high-end phones use Snapdragon processors and will be compatible. The software will first be available in the Snapdragon 820 processor, which is set to be released for Android smartphones sometime in 2016.
Smart Protect is the first app to use Qualcomm's Zeroth technology, which is aimed at complementing conventional security software with real-time malware detection and classification.
It's important to note that the new software isn't simply an app to be installed. Instead, Qualcomm is partnering with other security companies to use the new software. Three companies so far have signed up, including Lookout, AVG and Avast.
The new software is significant because of the fact that most antivirus software for Android devices is currently not able to get a very good look at what apps are doing. With the Smart Protect APIs, however, antivirus software will be able to get much more insight into app behavior.
If Smart Protect ends up being as useful as Qualcomm suggests, it could be a big deal in mobile security.
Via: Qualcomm
