Abstract: An identification of software assets and a defined manner of usage for the software assets are received over a network. Software applications previously or currently being installed on a plurality of user devices are monitored. From this monitoring, at least one of the software assets that is being used in one or more of the applications inconsistently with the defined manner of usage is identified. A report is sent over the network to a developer regarding the inconsistent usage determined from the monitoring.

Abstract: Authenticity of a new application being installed on a mobile device is evaluated to provide a result. The evaluation uses a plurality of inputs. In response to the result, an action is performed (e.g., on the mobile device itself and/or a server performing or assisting with the evaluation). For example, the evaluating may be done for an application that a user of the mobile device desires to install from an application marketplace. In another example, the action is sending of a notification to the mobile device, and the notification includes an assessment of authenticity of the new application.

Abstract: Software applications previously or currently being installed on a plurality of user devices are monitored. In one embodiment, a first set of the installed applications that is signed with a signing identifier of a developer are identified. A report is then sent to the developer that includes an identification of the first set. In another embodiment, the authenticity of a first application is evaluated including determining, based on a respective signing identifier for each of a plurality of applications, that the applications are similar to the first application. A notification is sent to the developer that identifies applications having a signing identifier that is different from the signing identifier of the developer.

Abstract: A server receives from a mobile communication device information about a data object (e.g., application) on the device when the device cannot assess the data object. The server uses the information along with other information stored at the server to assess the data object. Based on the assessment, the device may be permitted to access the data object or the device may not be permitted to access the data object. The other information stored at the server can include data objects known to be bad, data objects known to be good, or both.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices uses a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces a characterization assessment and can also provide a characterization re-assessment for the application, or data object, and transmits the assessment to the device. By performing analysis on a server, the invention allows a device to reduce the battery and performance cost of protecting against undesirable applications. The server transmits notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable. The server can accumulate this data and then perform a characterization re-assessment of a data object it has previously assessed to provide an assessment based upon one of trust, distribution and ratings information.

Abstract: A system and method prevent malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices, which use a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces a characterization assessment and can also provide a characterization re-assessment for the application, or data object, and transmits the assessment to the device. Performing analysis on a server reduces the battery and performance cost of protection. The server transmits notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable. The server receives data about applications from many devices, using the combined data to minimize false positives and provide comprehensive protection against known and unknown threats.

Abstract: A server receives from a mobile communication device application data identifying a data object accessible by the mobile communication device. The server uses at least some of the application data to assess the data object. The application data can include, for example, behavioral data, metadata, parts of the data object, information indicating the data object is installed on the mobile communication device, or combinations of these.

Abstract: To prevent malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones, netbooks, and tablets), a device uses a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces a categorization assessment and can provide a categorization re-assessment, and transmits the assessment to the device. By performing analysis on a server, a device can reduce its battery and performance cost of protecting against undesirable applications. The server transmits notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable. The server receives data about applications from many devices, using the combined data to minimize false positives and provide comprehensive protection against known and unknown threats.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for efficiently gathering information about applications for mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones, netbooks, and tablets). This disclosure is also directed to a server producing assessments for applications by analyzing data from multiple sources. To gather information, a device sends information about an application to a server, which stores some or all of the information and may request additional information, if necessary. The server collects information from many devices, including devices that have varied configurations and different operating systems, by only collecting the appropriate information from each device. The server gathers the appropriate data to perform in-depth, granular mobile application analysis while minimizing overhead on devices, wireless networks, and the server. The server may collect portions of data from multiple devices, combining them on the server to produce an assessment for an application.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a system and method for preventing malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones, netbooks, and tablets). A mobile communication device uses a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces a characterization assessment and can also provide a characterization re-assessment for the application, or data object, and transmits the assessment to the device. By performing analysis on a server, the invention allows a device to reduce the battery and performance cost of protecting against undesirable applications. The servers transmits notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a system and method for preventing malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones, netbooks, and tablets). A mobile communication device uses a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces an assessment for the application, and transmits the assessment to the device. By performing analysis on a server, the invention allows a device to reduce the battery and performance cost of protecting against undesirable applications. The servers transmits notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable. The server receives data about applications from many devices, using the combined data to minimize false positives and provide comprehensive protection against known and unknown threats.

Abstract: To prevent malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones, netbooks, and tablets), a device uses a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces a categorization assessment and can provide a categorization re-assessment, and transmits the assessment to the device. By performing analysis on a server, a device can reduce its battery and performance cost of protecting against undesirable applications. The server transmits notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable. The server receives data about applications from many devices, using the combined data to minimize false positives and provide comprehensive protection against known and unknown threats.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices uses a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces a characterization assessment and can also provide a characterization re-assessment for the application, or data object, and transmits the assessment to the device. By performing analysis on a server, the invention allows a device to reduce the battery and performance cost of protecting against undesirable applications. The servers transmit notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable. The server can accumulate this data and then perform a characterization re-assessment of a data object it has previously assessed to provide an assessment based upon one of trust, distribution and ratings information.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a system and method for preventing malware, spyware and other undesirable applications from affecting mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones, netbooks, and tablets). A mobile communication device uses a server to assist in identifying and removing undesirable applications. When scanning an application, a device transmits information about the application to a server for analysis. The server receives the information, produces an assessment for the application, and transmits the assessment to the device. By performing analysis on a server, the invention allows a device to reduce the battery and performance cost of protecting against undesirable applications. The servers transmits notifications to devices that have installed applications that are discovered to be undesirable. The server receives data about applications from many devices, using the combined data to minimize false positives and provide comprehensive protection against known and unknown threats.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for efficiently gathering information about applications for mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones, netbooks, and tablets). This disclosure is also directed to a server producing assessments for applications by analyzing data from multiple sources. To gather information, a device sends information about an application to a server, which stores some or all of the information and may request additional information, if necessary. The server collects information from many devices, including devices that have varied configurations and different operating systems, by only collecting the appropriate information from each device. The server gathers the appropriate data to perform in-depth, granular mobile application analysis while minimizing overhead on devices, wireless networks, and the server. The server may collect portions of data from multiple devices, combining them on the server to produce an assessment for an application.