Sophos today announced a free anti-virus defense app for Google Android devices which works via the Sophos cloud-based service. Separately Sophos also made available Android and Apple iOS apps for securing files held in the cloud file-storage service Dropbox. The Sophos anti-virus app for Android devices will be available for free through November, at which time it will be integrated into The Sophos mobile-device management software Sophos Mobile Control. However, a standalone free version is still expected to be made available after November. “It acts as a scanner and looks for malicious apps and malware,” says Payal Mehrotra, Sophos mobile product manager.NEWS: Cybercrime-fest targets mobile devicesMORE: The 10 most common mobile security problems and how you can fight them With regard to the encryption for mobile, the Sophos Mobile Encryption apps for Android or iOS devices are intended to work in conjunction with another product from Sophos called SafeGuard Enterprise, which can be used to ensure files stored in cloud-based services are encrypted.The first version of the Sophos Mobile Encryption apps allows user access to encrypted files stored in the Dropbox cloud-based file storage. Future versions will be available for other services, including Egnyte and Google Drive, says Mehrotra. There are free and paid versions of Sophos Mobile Encryption, with the paid versions (ranging from $2.99 for Apple iOS to $9.99 for the Android version) being more feature-rich to allow offline access to encrypted files when connectivity isn’t available, says Mehrotra.The Google apps are available here from Google Play, and the Sophos Mobile Encryption app is available here for Apple iOS devices.Ellen Messmer is senior editor at Network World, an IDG publication and website, where she covers news and technology trends related to information security. Twitter: MessmerE. E-mail: emessmer@nww.com.Read more about wide area network in Network World’s Wide Area Network section. Related content feature Top cybersecurity M&A deals for 2023 Fears of recession, rising interest rates, mass tech layoffs, and conservative spending trends are likely to make dealmakers cautious, but an ever-increasing need to defend against bigger and faster attacks will likely keep M&A activity steady in By CSO Staff Sep 22, 2023 24 mins Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and Acquisitions brandpost Unmasking ransomware threat clusters: Why it matters to defenders Similar patterns of behavior among ransomware treat groups can help security teams better understand and prepare for attacks By Joan Goodchild Sep 21, 2023 3 mins Cybercrime news analysis China’s offensive cyber operations support “soft power” agenda in Africa Researchers track Chinese cyber espionage intrusions targeting African industrial sectors. By Michael Hill Sep 21, 2023 5 mins Advanced Persistent Threats Cyberattacks Critical Infrastructure brandpost Proactive OT security requires visibility + prevention You cannot protect your operation by simply watching and waiting. It is essential to have a defense-in-depth approach. By Austen Byers Sep 21, 2023 4 mins Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe