Trend Micro and AVG line up to secure Android phones and tablets

Trend Micro and AVG have released software designed to secure Android devices, which are increasingly making their presence felt in enterprises.

Google patched its Android application store earlier this month after it had been infiltrated by some 50 infected pieces of software.

An update was released to protect and fix any infected handsets but the announcement was unlikely to reassure the growing number of users already concerned about onboard phone security.

AVG has released software aimed at Android tablets, which is an expanding market for the operating system.

The release is an extension of the AntiVirusFree product that AVG offers for smartphones, but adds features designed to help better secure tablet computers.

Tablets are expected to be used for a wider variety of tasks than smartphones and are therefore likely to contain more documents and potentially sensitive information.

Features include remote tracking and wiping should the device be lost or stolen, as well as real-time scanning for viruses and other malware.

AVG added that an 'app locker' can be used to password-protect applications that could be accessed by other workers or children, for example.

"Mobile devices are vital to most people's lives and have practically developed into full computers in your pocket," said J R Smith, chief executive at AVG Technologies.

"IDC predicted that nearly 50 million tablets will be sold this year, meaning that more users will carry more of their digital life world with them, everywhere. As a result, securing these devices and protecting data becomes ever more crucial."

Trend Micro, meanwhile, has released Mobile Security for Android, which again scans the hardware and its software and applications for malware.

The company said that the additional security benefits customers who use their device for accessing sensitive applications, like mobile banking or shopping, and that the software identifies and stops cyber attacks before they can strike.

"The Android app ecosystem is by definition open," said Rik Ferguson, director of security research and communications at Trend Micro.

"This greater openness of the developer environment has arguably fostered an atmosphere of creativity, but as Facebook has already discovered it can also be a very attractive criminal playground."