About Location Features in Symantec Mobile Security 7.2

Products

• Mobile Security

Issue/Introduction

Does the Symantec Mobile Security 7.2 (SMS 7.2) client on my Android device track the physical location?  How does it do this?

 

Resolution

There are location features built into most Android devices.  Geolocation can be determined via GPS (Global Positioning System), via cell tower triangulation or via wifi networks.  Settings can be viewed on the Android's device's Settings, Location & Security Settings.  

This location information collected by Android can be forwarded to the Symantec Management Platform (SMP) if the administrator has configured the SMS 7.2 policy to do so.  

 

This information may help to locate a lost or stolen device.  For more information on other anti-theft features, please see About the Anti-Theft Features in Symantec Mobile Security 7.2

Location must both be enabled on the device and requested by policy is it is to be forwarded to the SMP.  If the policy configured does not call for Location information to be forwarded, the Mobile Security client will not communicate any coordinates to the server.  If the policy calls for location but no location features are enabled on the Android, no location data will be forwarded.