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Apple buys mobile security company for US$356m

Apple gets serious about mobile security with the purchase of AuthenTec, maker of fingerprint sensors and identity management software.

Seamus Byrne Editor, Australia & Asia
Seamus Byrne is CNET's Editor for Australia and Asia. At other times he'll be found messing with apps, watching TV, building LEGO, and rolling dice. Preferably all at the same time.
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Seamus Byrne

Apple has purchased mobile security company AuthenTec for US$356 million.

Apple's Cupertino HQ.(Credit: CNET)

As reported be CNET, AuthenTec makes fingerprint sensors and identity management software that is deployed in mobile devices. Earlier this month, Samsung selected AuthenTec to be the power behind the VPN security on its business smartphones and tablets. Other customers include LG, Cisco and Motorola.

Purchased at US$8 per share, the buyout came in at 58 per cent above the company's last closing price.

With increasing deployments of Apple mobile devices into business environments, it's interesting to see Apple get serious about security through an acquisition.

It would also be hard to imagine AuthenTec remaining available to competitive vendors beyond current contractual arrangements.