New scanner tool for Carrier IQ Package released by Bitdefender

If you are concerned regarding the recent news that Android Carrier IQ software may house malicious intentions, including collecting all of your personal data, then Bitdefender appears to be the company to look to, after they have announced a scanner tool specifically designed to find out whether your device is carrying the software and also if it is tracking your data (however it won’t remove it). Dubbed ‘Carrier IQ Finder’, the new software can be downloaded for free from the Android marketplace and will allow all consumers to check the status of their information. Overall, we reckon it’s worthwhile to take a look. PR below.

Bitdefender releases scanner tool for Carrier IQ package

Bitdefender^®, the award-winning provider of innovative internet security solutions, has announced the availability of a new tool that identifies the presence of the controversial mobile network diagnostic tool from Carrier IQ.

Dubbed Carrier IQ Finder, the tool instantly determines if the user’s Android device has been equipped with the Carrier IQ tracking package, and if the device is being monitored.

“Bitdefender values users’ privacy and their right to take informed decisions when entering a deal with a mobile carrier,” said Alexandru Balan, senior Product Manager of the Bitdefender Mobile Unit. “Although the manufacturer claims that only some of the information provided through the Carrier IQ application is used by the carrier, the amount of personal data the app has access to raises serious privacy concerns.”

The application can be freely downloaded via the Android Market at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bitdefender.ciqfinder. Because the Carrier IQ mobile network diagnostic tool is deeply integrated with the device’s firmware, the Carrier IQ Finder cannot remove it.

For permanent mobile protection, we recommend you install Bitdefender Mobile Security, also available on the Android Market at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bitdefender.security.

For more information about the CarrierIQ tracking software and how to remove it, please visit the article on the Malware City Blog.