Norton, Bitdefender enhance Android security

Owners of Android-powered devices are being targeted by security providers, with consumers needing to confront the dual threat of malware and theft.

Firstly, Symantec has released an Android-specific application, Norton Mobile Security Lite, as a free download in the Android marketplace.

The app offers anti-malware scanning to automatically detect and remove threats from downloaded material, as well as a text message-based locking system which can be used to keep thieves or strangers from accessing data or making calls.

At the same time, Bitdefender has updated its anti-malware offering, Mobile Security for Android (beta), to add a new anti-theft function.

The feature allows the user to track the device online if it is lost or stolen, and also to remotely wipe its memory to prevent thieves from accessing private information.

The Bitdefender app is currently rated four and a half stars out of five on the Android market, while the Norton app is rated four stars out of five. The former can be downloaded here, and the latter here.