14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft announced earlier this year that its antivirus engine would launch on Linux and Android, and now a preview version is available in the Google Play Store.
Called Microsoft Defender ATP Preview, Microsoft’s antivirus app doesn’t come as a free solution, and is only aimed at businesses with a valid Microsoft 365 E5 license.
Needless to say, the app comes with welcome security features, including scanning of APK files and preventing malicious files from compromising the device and blocking malicious websites that have been launched from messaging apps.
Microsoft says its security product can also block malicious background connections from apps on the device and features integration with Microsoft Defender ATP.
“Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) helps enterprise users stay protected from cyber security threats such as malicious apps, dangerous web sites that may try to steal information from them. It is also a platform that allows Security Operations teams to prevent, detect and investigate cyber security incidents in the enterprise,” Microsoft explains.
Microsoft’s Android antivirus requires Android 6 and newer, according to the information published in the Google Play Store.
Windows Defender on the desktop
On the desktop, Microsoft’s Windows Defender has evolved to become one of the most powerful antivirus solutions on the market, offering protection that’s on par with the one of third-party security vendors. Microsoft wants to bring the same strong protection to other platforms too, including not only Android, but also Linux and macOS.
On Windows 10, Windows Defender, now called Microsoft Defender, is the core of Windows Security, a central hub that groups all security features available on the operating system, including parental controls and other tools. Windows Defender now features all the capabilities you’d expect to find in a fully-featured antivirus engine, including real-time protection, cloud analysis, and frequent virus definition updates.