Is installing an antivirus app on your smartphone worth it? While security software is commonplace on computers, it's fair to wonder if it's worth choosing an equivalent solution for a smartphone. The answer is yes. There are many services available to secure your phone, and in this article, we're going to help you find the best antivirus for you.
Why is an Antivirus App Essential?
If you don’t install a good antivirus on your smartphone, you risk encountering very serious threats. For example, malicious software like ransomware can lock your important files so you can’t open them. Other harmful programs can also damage your phone or steal your information. Without a good antivirus, your phone is prone to being attacked by malware.
Top Antivirus Software You Can Rely On
Bitdefender Antivirus
Bitdefender Antivirus is a simple virus scanner. You can scan your device and your storage media with just a touch of a button. Bitdefender compares the results with its threat database and highlights potential sources of danger. On the other hand, Bitdefender Security's advanced features, from additional antivirus features to a VPN or password manager, are not included in the free version.
To assess the effectiveness of antivirus protection, professional labs such as AV-Comparatives attest to Bitdefender's excellent security. In their 2023 Mobile Security Review, Bitdefender detected 100% of the malware tested, and no false positives were reported.
Avast Antivirus
Avast Antivirus is an antivirus program from London-based Avast PLC, which has been owned by Gen Digital (formerly NortonLifeLock) since November 2022. While it's free, it also has paid premium versions that offer more features. The free version is primarily a virus scanner that scans your device for hidden threats and offers solutions.
There are also a few other features, such as data garbage cleaning and web protection. The latter allows you to block selected websites that you already know are malicious. To unlock advanced protection and other features, such as the Email Guardian, which scans emails for spam and phishing, you need to upgrade to the premium version.
Norton
Norton relies on a security suite called Norton 360; its various versions include more or fewer features and devices that can be protected. There is the Norton Mobile Security plan, which is dedicated to smartphones running Android and includes an antivirus and numerous tools.
The Norton antivirus fights malware by scanning all apps to help you remove viruses. Similarly, the security solution blocks dangerous sites that are the source of phishing. The Privacy Advisor tool prevents you from downloading privacy-threatening apps from the App Store. As for App Advisor, it limits downloads of services with intrusive adware.
AVG Antivirus
With AVG Antivirus & Security, you can geolocate your Android phone—just like with Norton, Bitdefender, or Avast. To do this, AVG uses Google Maps' mapping solution, which is well-known and considered the best by most users. For those who often store sensitive photos, AVG can also help by backing them up in a virtual vault.
On Android, AVG can also alert you if your credentials have been stolen. Hackers sometimes exploit zero-day vulnerabilities to capture your passwords before selling them on the Dark Web. It also allows you to delete unnecessary files to save storage space. This is essential for phones that don't have a microSD slot.
McAfee
McAfee supports both Android and iOS, but includes more features for the former. To use it on your Android smartphone, you must have a smartphone compatible with Android 4.1 or higher. This antivirus scans your smartphone's contents to detect and remove any malware that may be present. McAfee also uses a VPN that encrypts your internet traffic to limit entry points.
McAfee Mobile Security monitors your email addresses and personal data to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands, so you can take action while you still can. System scanning ensures all your apps are up to date; another important step in protecting your smartphone, as the latest app versions often include security fixes.
ESET
ESET Mobile Security is a comprehensive and powerful antivirus solution for Android phones and tablets, designed to protect devices and data from various online threats. With its many advanced features, ESET ensures optimal security and offers a smooth and enjoyable user experience.
ESET Mobile Security scans apps, files, and websites in real time to detect and block malware, ensuring the protection of your sensitive information. Additionally, the Anti-Theft Protection solution allows you to remotely locate, lock, or wipe your device in case of loss or theft.
Conclusion
In this list, we've tried to include the best antivirus apps for smartphones. There's no need to try them all, although you may have to try a few before choosing the one that's right for you. Once you've chosen a service that works for you, stick with it and make sure you update it from time to time; if not, you won’t get the proper protection you need.
If you own an M-KOPA smartphone, choosing a reliable antivirus becomes even more important. Our phones are designed to help you do more, and you can also download trusted antivirus apps to protect your personal information against hackers. The safer your phone, the more it can do for you.
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