Microsoft Defender is ready to take on Android

Microsoft Defender ATP is now available in public preview, Microsoft announced today. This comes four months since Microsoft initially announced plans to take its security software to mobile devices and Linux. Companies and organizations that already use Microsoft Defender ATP on other platforms will be able to check out the public preview starting today.

The Microsoft Defender app is intended to give organizations another layer of protection for devices they’ve deployed. That includes a check on domains and URLs, allowing Microsoft Defender to block potentially malicious URLs from opening. Malicious sites discovered by Microsoft’s Defender SmartScreen services will be blocked across every device using Microsoft Defender, including mobile.

Additionally, Microsoft Defender offers scanning for malicious apps and files, like you’d expect from any Android antivirus software. However, Microsoft also touts its ability to quickly detect “sophisticated malware and apps that may display undesirable behavior” through its cloud protection capabilities.

Finally, Microsoft Defender ATP is also able to block devices that have been compromised from accessing corporate resources, Microsoft says.

It’s unclear if we’ll eventually see a more consumer-oriented version of Microsoft Defender arrive. However, companies already using Microsoft Defender ATP can try it out now. For more on Defender ATP for Android, you can check out Microsoft’s Tech Community blog.

Additionally, Microsoft launched Microsoft Defender ATP for Linux in general availability today.