In contrast to Apple devices, Android smartphones and tablets don’t come with built-in protection against malware. Google has attempted to remove virus-ridden applications from its Play Store but a few have gotten through this process. Malware isn’t just annoying – it can also steal your data, block you out of your device and give away your computing power to hackers.
Fortunately the antivirus software available for Android can help keep these threats at the horizon. The best antivirus software for android will come with powerful malware detection tools, privacy tools, and even anti-theft capabilities. Many will provide a free trial to test their security and performance.
Kaspersky is a name that you’ll often see on lists of the top antivirus for android because it has top-notch malware protection and has a minimal impact on the performance of your system. The app has a long history of excellent results in testing by independent labs. The paid version includes a useful blocker of calls as well as a variety of other security features.
Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus has some of the most comprehensive features available for Android antivirus applications. Its malware protection scored a near-perfect score in our tests, and it has numerous other useful features like a privacy advisor, Wi-Fi network alerts and junk clean-up of files. It’s less user-friendly however, and its call-blocking feature did not work in our tests.
Avira has excellent malware detection and prevention, as well as a clean interface and relatively low system impact. It also includes advanced security tools, like privacy advisors and a memory optimizer. It also comes with a fantastic anti-theft option and offers affordable premium plans that provide several phones at the same time for a single cost.