Applications on the Google Play Store are being infected with more and more malicious code, which entails threats to phones and tablets running Android operating system. To protect your device, you should actively install anti-virus software for Android, malicious code on your device.
These malware not only increase the risk of stealing personal information, turning Android devices into a tool for DDOS attacks, but also make the device heavy, affecting your work and entertainment performance.
Here are some antivirus software for Android you can refer to:
The best antivirus on Android
1. Bitdefender Mobile Security
Bitdefender’s Android security app has near-perfect malware protection, minimal performance impact, built-in Android Wear watches, VPN client, and malicious website blocker that works with most Android browsers.
It also has powerful privacy protection tools, including app lock, WiFi scanning, anti-theft features, and data breach notifications. A newly added feature, Scam Alert, flags possible malicious links in SMS text messages, messaging apps, and desktop notifications.
Bitdefender Mobile Security offers a 14-day trial period. There is also a separate Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Android app (which is actually completely free) that only scans for malware.
The built-in VPN client only gives you 200MB of free data – enough for checking email while traveling. If you want more data, it will cost you $7/month or $50/year.
2. Norton Mobile Security
Norton Mobile Security, aka Norton 360, offers the best anti-malware protection of any Android antivirus app. Unfortunately, it no longer has anti-theft, contact backup and Link Guard malicious link blocker.
Norton has also killed off the free version of Norton Mobile Security and replaced it with a security-only app for one device that costs $15/year.
For $50/year, a version called Norton 360 for Mobile adds unlimited VPN service and tracks your personal information on the “dark web”. The most expensive plan, Norton 360 Deluxe, for $105/year, is actually part of Norton’s antivirus product line and lets you protect up to 5 Android, Windows, Mac, or iOS devices.
All of these subscriptions can be paid instantly through the Norton app, which has a 14-day free trial period.
Norton’s strongest feature is App Advisor, which checks the apps on the device for large data usage and unusual behavior. It also checks apps in the Google Play Store for security and privacy risks even before you install the app.
3. Avast Mobile Security
Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus is one of the best, fully featured Android antivirus apps, offering everything from privacy advisor to system optimizer to customizable blacklist. .
But while Avast’s anti-malware protection is good, it’s far from perfect. Some of Avast’s anti-theft functions don’t work, and call blocking doesn’t work at all. Besides, the free version has ads and constant upgrade requirements that annoy users.
Those ads will go away if you pay for one of the paid versions of Avast Mobile Security, Premium ($2/month or $20/year) or Ultimate ($7/month or $40/year). Users of either paid plan also get additional anti-theft features, app locking, and tech support.
The only way to use Avast’s SecureLine VPN is to pay for the Ultimate version. Since SecureLine’s private price is $60/year, paying an extra $20 for a premium version of Android antivirus and unlimited VPN data is well worth considering.
4. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus, also known as Kaspersky Internet Security for Android, offers near-perfect malware protection, negligible system impact, and a really useful call blocker.
There are no ads in the free version and there is not much fuss in upgrading to the paid plan. Free users get call filtering, Android Wear support, and a robust set of anti-theft functions, but you have to manually scan each new app.
Paying users will be automatically scanned for new apps, locked out, and blocked for known phishing sites. There is no WiFi network scanner and no security tool like other Android antivirus apps currently offer.
If you’re just looking for protection against malware, you won’t regret choosing the free version of Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus. While the paid version isn’t expensive, it’s not strictly necessary and you can get more from Bitdefender’s paid app for less than $5.
5. Lookout Security & Antivirus
Lookout Mobile Security, now renamed Lookout Security & Antivirus or Lookout Personal, is one of the first and best antivirus apps for Android in a long time. Ease of use, clean interface and no ads are the advantages of this software.
But the cost of Lookout can add up quickly. The free version only scans for malware and locates lost phones.
The premium version costs $30/year and offers some features like blocking malicious websites and scanning WiFi networks (usually free with other Android antivirus apps). Unlimited VPN and data breach notification service included in premium version.
At $100 per year, the “Premium Plus” plan is actually a pretty cheap identity protection service that offers many of the same benefits you’d get from LifeLock or IdentityForce.
6. McAfee Mobile Security
Like Avast, McAfee offers (or used to offer) a lot of useful features, but its free version is also filled with ads and upgrade suggestions. The anti-malware protection is pretty good, if not great.
In the summer of 2021, McAfee Mobile Security removed many useful functions, including the App Lock, Guest Mode, Anti-Theft, Boost, and Memory Cleanup features.
You get some cool stuff with the free version of McAfee Mobile Security, such as individual app data usage monitoring and WiFi security scanning tools.
You get a lot more with the Standard version, including a URL screener, 24/7 technical support, and no more ads. But the price is a bit expensive ($30/year), while Bitdefender and Kaspersky give you the same features for less.
The highest paid tier version, Plus, costs $80/year and gives you the features in the Standard version plus unlimited VPN access, but only for phones or tablets. You can get one of the best VPN services to use on all your devices for less.
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