Many people think of antivirus software as something you only use on Windows laptops and PCs but you actually need it on your Android phone too. Hackers are always coming up with new ways to infect your device with malware that could steal your identity, wreak havoc on your smartphone and even make it a remote spying tool for criminals. While Google Play strives to filter out malware-ridden apps, a lot are able to sneak through the web. A antivirus program is recommended as it can scan your whole device and warn you of suspicious texts, websites and Wi-Fi networks, plus offer an anti-theft feature that allows you to track your stolen handset and wipe the data stored on it remotely.
Bitdefender Mobile Security offers top-notch protection capabilities, scoring full marks in the latest AV Test review and earning a high score from the AV-Comparatives (the other major independent lab for testing). It’s more than just a look for malware, however it also comes with an App Advisor that warns you about potentially risky apps before you download them, as well as other useful features such as a junk file cleanup and a privacy booster that can boost performance, and a Wi-Fi scanner that helps protect your data.
AVG’s free Android antivirus is a high-quality product which goes beyond the mundane scanning of files and applications with a wealth of other useful tools like an anti-theft program that can track your device, take photos of a person who stole it, and remotely wipe out its data, a junk file cleaner and a performance boost and a Wi-Fi scanner, which will ensure you’re not being hacked or overloaded by your wireless provider. It’s not the most user-friendly interface, but it is effective and has top antivirus detection scores.