Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

Note7

Samsung offering in-airport smartphone exchange

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Image by Sergio Quntana via Twitter

The US FAA has officially barred all Note 7s from flying on any US airline and Samsung has started an airport exchange program. CNET is reporting that:

"After setting up exchange booths in South Korea's Incheon airport , Samsung is now spreading the initiative across the world, announcing trade-in booths in airports across Australia. The customer service booths will allow passengers to switch out their recalled Galaxy Note 7 (along with the data on it) to another Samsung device.

The booths will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time at "high-traffic" terminals:

  • Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith)
  • Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)
  • Brisbane Airport
  • Adelaide Airport
  • Perth Airport
  • Gold Coast Airport
  • Canberra Airport (open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)"

ABC 7 News is reporting that exchange booths have been seen in San Francisco airport.  This airport exchange is a good idea as some of their customers may not be aware of the FAA prohibition.

Photo by Sergio Quintana

Samsung Note 7 to come bundled with McAfee security

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Itell Security (formerly McAfee) announced that the Samsung Note 7 will come bundled with McAfee VirusScan mobile security. The press release claims "Samsung customers can enjoy better protection from more diverse and sophisticated threats in mobile world."

Truth be told, I do not advocate using an antivirus on Android smartphones but you have to ensure you don't break any of the built in security features (like side loading apps). To me, this looks like the kind of bundling cash grab we see in the PC space (manufacturers get $1-$5 to bundle an app in the base image helping make the device a bit more profitable). What's surprising is that Samsung would do this kind of bundling deal on its premium $800+ flagship smartphone.

Intel Security to expand mobile security technology to Samsung Galaxy Note7 and Tizen OS based Samsung Z2

- Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note and Tizen OS based Z2 smartphone will come pre-installed with McAfee® VirusScan® mobile security and anti-malware technology
- New ransomware grew 24 per cent quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2016 in Intel Security McAfee Labs Threats Report – June 2016
- Samsung agreed to expand protection from new Samsung Galaxy Note7 to Tizen OS based Samsung Z2

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Aug. 23, 2016 – Intel Security announced that Samsung’s latest smartphone, Galaxy Note7 and Tizen OS based Z2 will come pre-installed with McAfee® VirusScan® mobile security. McAfee VirusScan Mobile is an anti-malware technology solution that is already helping to provide a more secure mobile experience to millions of Samsung Galaxy users globally. With this collaboration, Samsung customers can enjoy better protection from more diverse and sophisticated threats in mobile world.

According to Intel Security’s McAfee Labs Threats Report – June 2016, there are 305 new threats every minute, or more than five every second. New mobile malware grew 17 per cent quarter over quarter in Q1 2016. Total mobile malware grew 23 per cent quarter over quarter in Q1 2016 and 113 per cent over the last four quarters. In particular, new ransomware rose 24 per cent in Q1 2016 due to the continued entry of relatively low-skilled criminals into the ransomware cybercrime community. This report showcases the need for security against a growing volume of mobile malware and expanding attack surface.

“Mobile threats continue to grow and be more sophisticated as we become increasingly connected. Now mobile devices are the tip of the spear for new hacking methods,” said John Giamatteo, corporate vice president at Intel Security. “Intel Security is combatting these growing mobile threats by collaborating with mobile device manufacturer Samsung to keep customers’ mobile devices, data and privacy safe from vulnerabilities.”

”New customers of Samsung Galaxy Note7 and Samsung Z2 now can enjoy mobile experiences securely with the latest anti-malware solution that Samsung offers,” said Henry Lee, vice president of Mobile Security Technologies of Samsung Mobile. “Security and privacy are at the core of what we do and what we think about every day. It is very important to provide a high level of protection at all times to our customers.”

About Intel Security

Intel Security, with its McAfee product line, is dedicated to making the digital world safer and more secure for everyone. Intel Security is a division of Intel Corporation. Learn more at www.intelsecurity.com.
— Intel Security