Asurion to Provide Free Cell Phone Virus Protection, Locate and Backup Services for Walmart Shoppers

Asurion, the global leader in technology protection services, and sister organization, N.E.W. Customer Service**C**ompanies, LLC (NEW**), the leader in buyer protection programs and service solutions, today announced that Walmart MobileCarePlus customers now have access to Asurion Mobile Security software at no additional cost.  Consumers who subscribe to the Asurion-backed Walmart MobileCarePlus handset insurance when purchasing an Android or BlackBerry-based phone, can now download the powerful Asurion security** software on their selected device from their respective app market.

Security is becoming an increasingly important issue for mobile devices, which now outnumber the U.S. population and whose percentage growth continues to increase dramatically[1].  New viruses for phones appear every day.  The amount of personal information on cell phones, make these devices an opportunity for hackers who may look to capitalize on access to a phone’s content, privacy, or limit its availability through viruses and malware.  

The Asurion Mobile Security solution regularly scans messages, pictures, installed applications and files on a customer’s phone to identify and eliminate the latest viruses and malware, many of which can access private information and harm the mobile device itself. Safe browsing alerts users before visiting web sites which may compromise their phone’s security and in the event a protected phone is misplaced, locate features can trigger an audible alarm, making recovery much easier.  If the phone is lost in another location, the Asurion Mobile Security application will display the phone’s location online and even provide a map with turn-by-turn directions to reunite owner and device.  

In the event a phone is lost or stolen, Asurion Mobile Security can help here too, allowing consumers to wipe the contents of their devices so that private information is not compromised.  And because the Asurion software can back-up and restore a phone’s contacts, Walmart customers can easily restore their most important connections onto their phone or a new phone at any time.    

“We’re happy to introduce Asurion to the millions of people and families that regularly shop at Walmart,” said Tim Stadthaus, Vice President of Marketing for Asurion.  “We think Walmart customers will quickly see why today more than 110 million consumers look to Asurion.  From protecting mobile devices with our comprehensive security suite, to replacing a lost, stolen or damaged device – most often overnight – Asurion covers the complete lifecycle of the mobile handset, keeping families connected through all manner of mobile phone mishaps.”

The results of a recent Asurion survey illustrated to families the importance of protecting mobile devices.  During the last two years, 48 percent of high school and college age students required a replacement device due to loss or damage. With Walmart now offering MobileCarePlus in all their stores, parents have peace of mind knowing their family’s investments in phones are protected, combined with the convenience of getting it at the place they already love to shop.  Walmart customers can enroll in MobileCarePlus when purchasing their mobile device at their local Walmart.

To learn more about Walmart MobileCarePlus and the Asurion Mobile Security application visit http://walmart.com/mobilecareplus/.  Current MobileCarePlus customers can download the Asurion Mobile Security app from the Android Market or BlackBerry App World.  

[1] “Today’s Mobile Cybersecurity; Protected, Secured, and Unified,” CTIA, The Wireless Association, October, 2012