Sophos Offers Free Antivirus App for Android Users

Sophos Mobile Security helps to better safeguard Android phones and tablets

BOSTON, MA and OXFORD, UK – July 31, 2012 – As part of its Complete Mobile Security initiative, Sophos has announced the availability of Sophos Mobile Security, a free lightweight anti-virus app that protects Android devices against malware, privacy issues and hardware loss—without reducing performance or battery life. Sophos Mobile Security is available for free download from Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sophos.smsec.

The amount of mobile malware is rapidly increasingly, in particular among Android, the leading smartphone operating system. In May, Naked Security conducted a survey of 900 readers, which found that 39 percent used a smartphone running Android. According to Juniper Networks and F-Secure respectively, the growth rate in Android malware last year increased 155 percent over 2010, and the number of Android malware families nearly quadrupled from 2011 to 2012.

Using up-to-the-minute intelligence from SophosLabs, the company’s global network of threat intelligence centers, Sophos Mobile Security automatically scans apps as users install them, blocking undesirable software and malicious code that can lead to data loss and unexpected costs. In addition to safeguarding devices from malicious apps and other risks, Sophos Mobile Security locates lost or stolen Android devices and provides a remote lock to shield personal information from unintended users.

“We’re seeing no slowdown in the number of malicious apps, as more smartphone owners use their devices to not only store personal data, but also access social networks and the Internet. This usage, coupled with the increase in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) activity, is making Android devices a compelling target for cybercriminals and malware,” said Matthias Pankert, vice president, product management, Sophos.“ Android users must be vigilant as the number of threats continues its rapid ascent; this is why apps like Sophos Mobile Security are becoming so much more important.”

Later this year, Sophos plans to offer a managed Enterprise version of Sophos Mobile Security with enhanced functionality. Targeting corporate users, it will help to provide better protection for corporate devices and data.