BlackBerry taps Trend Micro to scan apps for malware
The two companies are teaming up to enhance the malware scans already done on new and current apps in the BlackBerry World store.
BlackBerry is counting on Trend Micro to help ensure the security of its third-party apps.
Like other app store owners, BlackBerry already scans apps for malware to protect BlackBerry World customers. But the company will add Trend Micro's Mobile Application Reputation Service to take that protection a few steps further.
Both current and new apps submitted to BlackBerry World will be scanned by Trend Micro's cloud-based service to hunt for malware.
"BlackBerry is working with Trend Micro to implement a more robust approach for addressing privacy and security concerns related to third-party applications," Adrian Stone, director for BlackBerry Security Response and Threat Analysis, said yesterday in a statement. "By incorporating Trend Micro's advanced mobile scanning and detection capabilities with our own internal, proprietary application analyzing system, we can provide another layer of protection and assurance for BlackBerry customers."
Last week, BlackBerry unveiled its BB10 mobile operating system and the first two smartphones to run the new OS.
But the company knows that apps are key if it expects users to gravitate toward its mobile devices.
Toward that end, BlackBerry has been trying to drum up interest among app developers and customers alike.
The company recently sponsored "Portathon" events designed to motivate developers to port their existing apps over to BB10. BlackBerry also just lowered the price tiers for its mobile apps and updated BlackBerry World with more movies, music, and other content.