The Daily App: Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android

Trend Micro, Cupertino, Calif., has launched a new security app targeted specifically at the Android mobile platform. Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android brings to the platform the traditional security tools we’ve all become used to on the PC: malware scanning, as well as Web-browsing security with blocking of objectionable and dangerous sites. The app also adds in a “Lost Device Protection” function. (This function includes essential registration via an appropriately named portal: trendmicro.com/ILostMyAndroid.)

When you lose your device, you then have the option of going online, geo-locating a device if it’s on a 3G or WiFi network, as well as sending out a “scream” or loud pitch, locking the device or wiping the drive. We tested it out. It works as advertised.

As far as scanning, Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android will scan individual apps on a device for malware or vulnerabilities; we found the scan to be very quick and unobtrusive. The “Safe Surfing” function will block malicious websites, but also provide whitelisting capabilities for specific sites as well. The app allows you to set protection levels at low, normal or high.

There is a free version of the app that you can try for 30 days, with a one-year subscription to the paid version running $29.99. (The pricing model is essentially the same as the PC security software, too.)

We’ve liked Trend Micro’s security products throughout the years and believe that this is a step in the right direction for adding security and peace of mind to Android devices.