Android smartphone users are being offered extra security from webpages that contain malware or are fraud-related thanks to a new service being added to BitDefender's Mobile Security BETA.

The new service uses BitDefender's cloud services to alert users to online hazards, according to Bitdefender senior product manager, Alexandru Balan.

Web links are checked against BitDefender's live database before they are accessed, and sites which may present a threat are blocked. The user is then given a choice to continue or exit.

The user is not interrupted if a site is reported as ‘clean'.

BitDefender Mobile Security BETA is available free to download.