BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE:4704), a global leader in consumer digital information security, is predicting a 185% increase in malicious and high risk Android™ apps in 2013.  Because of the rise in mobile threats, Trend Micro is focused on putting the balance of power back into the hands of the consumer when it comes to protecting their privacy.

Mobile app and OS vendors still have a long way to go to assure consumers that their data is being handled with care and kept private.   Based on Trend Micro's 2012 Mobile Threat and Security Roundup, the Company forecasted that not only would there be a 185% increase in malicious malware, but that Adware and Data stealers will be the 2^nd and 3^rd most prevalent kinds of malicious apps. The prevalence of aggressive adware brings three major issues to light: fraudulent text messages, user annoyance, and data leakage which puts consumers privacy in jeopardy.

"Currently apps on every major platform are entirely opaque when it comes to informing the user whether encryption is being used when transmitting data," said Rik Ferguson, director of security research and communications at Trend Micro.  "Even simple smartphone browsers make it almost impossible to tell whether consumers are entering their data on a secure website. A similar lack of clarity is also apparent in operating systems. It's more important than ever to protect consumers while they are using their mobile devices."

With the gaps in security from OS vendors, along with the rise in malicious data stealing apps, mobile security is needed so that consumers can enjoy their digital lives safely.  To answer consumers' needs, Trend Micro today is launching the next version of Trend Micro™ Mobile Security for Android™. It takes privacy protection to the next level by incorporating industry- leading antivirus protection, data-theft detection that identifies apps that actually collect personal information, anti-phishing protection, as well as privacy scanning and advice for users' Facebook™ profiles.

With that, third-party testing labs are proving that Trend Micro is producing high-quality mobile consumer products.  AV-test.org  recently tested Android mobile security apps. Trend Micro Mobile Security was ranked in the top 3 solutions and scored well above average for detection results.  In addition to detection rates, design is also considered a critical element of all mobile security apps, especially those that are designed to help consumers protect their privacy.  Trend Micro Mobile Security scored 6 out of 6 in the testing for usability, ranking #1 in ease of use.

"Protection of Android devices from malware attacks is essential today. Trend Micro Mobile Security offers an excellent protection with no false positives or measurable system slow-downs," said Andreas Marx, CEO of AV-TEST.org.

About Trend Micro
Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), the global cloud security leader, creates a world safe for exchanging digital information with its Internet content security and threat management solutions for businesses and consumers.  A pioneer in server security with over 20 years' experience, we deliver top-ranked client, server and cloud-based security that fits our customers' and partners' needs, stops new threats faster, and protects data in physical, virtualized and cloud environments. Powered by the industry-leading Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network™ global threat intelligence data mining framework, our products and services stop threats where they emerge – from the Internet. They are supported by 1,000+ threat intelligence experts around the globe. 

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SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated