The popularity of smartphones bred the boom in mobile security. (Photo : sh4009.com)
With the popularity of smartphones, the proliferation of mobile security applications has become massive and the battle among rivals is simply fierce.
Beijing Big Data Information Consulting Co. Ltd. recently released a report saying that the most popular of the lot is 360 Mobile Security, claiming 60.5 percent of the market. The app was produced by leading Internet company Qihoo 360. The report further stated that the app users run the program on their mobile phones at least four times a month.
Tencent Mobile Manager, another app from Qihoo 360, gets the second ranking in the popularity category, with a share of 38.2 percent of the total market. Baidu's Mobile Guard stands on the third ranking with 23.5 percent of total number of users.
Beijing Big Data's Wang Fei said 360's success can be primarily attributed to the strong branding tactics and its reputation to have successfully taken out the four big trojan viruses last year.
Wang said that "the newly introduced geek version of 360's mobile phone security application can not only help users ward off viruses, but understand the meaning of various authorizations of certain software and protect privacy, resulting in an good overall user experience."
Tencent is reportedly trying hard to increase its brand presence by working directly with local mobile manufacturers to have the app come in pre-installed in brand new mobile handsets. Late last year, the app was credited to have successfully intercepted a mobile payment virus that steals passwords and bank account details.
Meanwhile, Baidu has been developing its own attempts at product improvement with its pilot product Mobile Guard. Last year, the app was credited to have been able to manage and identify viruses which produce pop-up advertisements, a constant source of irritation among mobile users.
The Big Data report also stated that 82.7 percent of mobile users are concerned about mobile phone security, especially those who frequently make online payments using their phones.
