Trend Micro adds Facebook scanner to mobile security suite

IDG News Service - Trend Micro is adding the often confusing world of Facebook privacy settings to a new version of its flagship security software.

Version 3 of the company's Trend Micro Mobile Security, available for Android users this week, will check a user's Facebook settings and offer advice on changes intended to help keep personal information secure.

More than a billion people use Facebook, often sharing private and intimate moments of their life that can provide a wealth of information for about their lives. More than a third of users profess to not knowing much about the site's privacy settings and often share things in public without realizing it, said Greg Boyle, a marketing manager at Trend Micro.

Trend Micro is also offering the Facebook security software available as a free stand-alone app, Privacy Scanner for Facebook.

In addition to virus and malware scanning and protection against phishing, the paid version of the software also includes a data back-up service that can include the phone's photos, music, calendar, videos, text messages and call history. The first 50MB of back-up space is free and an additional 5GB will cost $2 per month.

Trend Micro Mobile Security version 3.0 costs $30 and is available now on Google Play.

The software was announced at the Mobile World Congress exhibition, which is taking place all this week in Barcelona.

Martyn Williams covers mobile telecoms, Silicon Valley and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Martyn on Twitter at @martyn_williams. Martyn's e-mail address is martyn_williams@idg.com