Trend Micro recently upgraded its security system for desktop computers to rely heavily on cloud-based detection and protection, and now it's bringing that same network to Android devices.

Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android

Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android secures your device in four ways. It offers a "safe surfing" feature that prevents phishing attacks and illicit access to your identity and banking information. It also powers the parental controls for Web site content blocking. There's a customized blacklist for call and text filtering, and a download guard that prevents malicious or fraudulent apps from installing on your device.

Trend Micro is the first security company to extend its proprietary cloud-based heuristic- and reputation-based network to smart phones. The benefit of such networks initially was twofold: to allow for more responsive, reflexive security' and to allow the publisher to shrink the size of the of the desktop client. Similar desktop competitors include Microsoft's Security Essentials and Panda's Cloud Antivirus. Trend Micro's Mobile Security for Android appears to be the first time such a network has been used in mobile protection.

The company also has an iPhone and iPad app called Smart Surfing, which also uses its Smart Protection network to verify the safety of URLs visited on the iOS browser.

Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android comes with a 30-day free trial, and retails for $3.99. You can download it from the Android Market, or scan the QR code.