In this article, we will discuss the best apps for security. These apps will help you protect your device from malware and viruses.
In order to start using these apps, you need to install them first. You can install them by downloading them from the official website or from third-party stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Once installed on your device, you can use them for free for as long as you want.
We recommend that you test these apps on a virtual machine before installing them on your device so that you can make sure that they work properly.
Best Apps For Security
ANDROID AND IOS are both constantly evolving to be more secure and protect your privacy, but that doesn’t mean they can’t use a little help here and there. We’ve rounded up 9 great security apps for your phone right here, eschewing the standard antivirus and VPN options to bring you some lesser-known utilities that can really make a difference to how well protected your phone and all the data on it is.
By the way, we are aware that this list is a little Android-heavy, but that’s due to the nature of Android and iOS. Apple takes more control over the security of iOS, whereas Google is more willing to let third-party apps step in—iOS apps simply aren’t allowed to scan for viruses, analyze networks in detail, reconfigure user permissions, or access any of the other deep hooks in the software that a serious security app would need.
Access Dots
Make sure your device’s camera and mic aren’t used without your permission.
iOS 14 adds a new feature to iPhones that shows an on-screen alert if an app is trying to use your device’s camera or mic—just like the ‘active’ light that might be next to your laptop’s webcam. Access Dots brings the same functionality to Android, quickly and easily.
There’s not much to the app, but it’s incredibly useful: You’ll see an indicator in the status bar if an app has secretly enabled the camera or the mic. Make a donation to support the app’s development, and you can change the position and size of the indicator dot too.
Access Dots for Android (Freemium)
Jumbo
Deleting old tweets is just one of many tasks Jumbo can take on.
Social network privacy settings are difficult to understand and constantly changing—but Jumbo can do the hard work for you when it comes to making sure you’re not sharing more about yourself than you’d like. It can also help you keep your social accounts locked down.
The app connects directly to your online accounts to offer a variety of useful services: deleting your old tweets automatically, stopping Google from collecting quite as much information about you, limiting ad personalization on Facebook, and much more. Just keep in mind that any data you back up or delete with Jumbo is then locked to the app, and the service offers no way to export it for use in other apps.
Jumbo for Android and iOS (Freemium)
GlassWire
GlassWire keeps watch on how much data apps are using.
GlassWire keeps a careful eye on app data usage—you can see which of the apps on your smartphone are using up the most data (both in terms of uploads and downloads), get instant alerts when a new app starts communicating with the internet, and more.
Whether you’re worried about your data plan while you’re away from the Wi-Fi at home or you want to make sure certain apps aren’t sending data back to base when they shouldn’t be, GlassWire can help. There’s an integrated firewall available inside the app as well.
GlassWire for Android (Freemium)
Norton App Lock
Lock down certain apps with Norton App Lock.
Passcode lock apps add an extra layer of security beyond the main lock screen on your phone, which can come in very handy if you’re always sharing your device with a colleague, partner, or young relative—they effectively seal off part of your phone.
We’ve covered these apps in more detail here, but our favorite option on Android is Norton App Lock (not least because it comes from a brand you can trust). It’s simple to use, it’s completely free, and it supports PINs, passwords, and patterns for unlocking apps.
Norton App Lock for Android (Free)
Fing
Use Fing to figure out what’s going on on your network.
Are all the devices on your home network yours, or are your neighbors making use of your broadband too? Fing can tell you exactly what’s on your network at any given moment, which is helpful for troubleshooting problems as well as keeping your home Wi-Fi secure.
It has plenty of other strings to its bow too: Fing will check the speed of your web connection, attempt to find hidden cameras in your hotel room, warn you about internet outages, tell you about new devices connecting to your network, and more.
Fing for Android and iOS (Freemium)
Alfred Home Security Camera
Make use of an old phone or tablet with Alfred.
Did you know that with the right app you can repurpose an old phone or tablet into a security camera? Whether you want to keep an eye on the back yard or a sleeping baby, Alfred Home Security Camera makes it easy to get everything set up and configured.
Obviously you’re going to need more than one device here—one to do the video recording and another to watch the feed from wherever you happen to be—but Alfred offers all the features you’ll need, including motion detection, two-way audio, and a built-in siren.
Alfred Home Security Camera for Android and iOS (Freemium)
Twilio Authy
You should have 2FA in place, and Twilio Authy can help.
We’ve written about the importance of two-factor authentication (2FA) many times, but we’re not going to stop mentioning it—it makes a huge difference to the security of your online accounts, and Authy is one of the best tools for the job of managing your 2FA codes.
Adding new accounts is easy, and so is generating login codes, and so is moving Authy between devices, all of which makes 2FA as stress-free as it should be. It’ll work with a whole host of accounts, including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Evernote, and Dropbox.
Twilio Authy for Android and iOS (Free)
Firefox Focus
Firefox Focus offers a clean, secure browsing experience.
There are privacy-focused browsers, and then there’s Firefox Focus—a browser that blocks ads and trackers by default, leaving you with a fast, secure, and mostly untracked browsing experience (though be aware of the limits of this type of locked-down browsing).
Even better, there’s a big trash can icon up at the top of the Firefox Focus screen that will wipe out your browsing history, stored passwords, and site cookies with a single tap—it’s like having instant access to a private or incognito mode whenever you step online.
Firefox Focus for Android and iOS (Free)
Bouncer
Take more control over app permissions with Bouncer.
It’s not always easy to keep on top of app permissions, but Bouncer gives you a little more control over what apps are allowed to do on your Android device. It essentially lets you grant permissions to apps on a temporary, one-off basis whenever it’s necessary.
Say you want to give Facebook permission to tag a photo, but don’t want it accessing your location the rest of the time, then Bouncer can help. Permissions can be revoked after a certain time or when the app closes, and it keeps a log of app permission activity as well.
Bouncer for Android (Free)
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best free security app for android
An antivirus software (also known as AV software), is used to detect, block and remove all types of threats to a device. The threats may include viruses, malware, spyware, bloatware, etc, that could enter your device, through malicious websites, links, or applications.
As we are living in an era where almost all our important tasks are being performed through our smartphones, it is very important to have software that can protect our personal information (including passwords, financial details, etc) from being mishandled by ill-minded people.
Besides giving security to your device from viruses, antivirus software also gives you a tool to find your device in case of theft, lock or format it remotely, browse securely through their VPN, and much more.
What You Will Learn:
Android Antivirus Review
Frequently Asked Questions
List Of Top Free Antivirus For Android Smartphones
Comparing The Best Android Antivirus Apps
1) Bitdefender Mobile Security
2) Avira
3) Norton Mobile Security
4) Avast Mobile Security
5) Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
6) AVG Antivirus Free
7) Trend Micro Mobile Security
8) McAfee Mobile Security
9) Malwarebytes Security
10) Google Play Protect
In this article, we will give you a list of the top best antiviruses for Android. Go through this article to know their top features and comparison of them.
Pro-Tip: The most dangerous of the threats to your mobile is spyware. You can be a victim of cyber-crime if your personal, confidential information gets into the hands of someone having ill intentions. Thus, look for an antivirus app that gives maximum security against these threats and protects your privacy.
Facts Check: According to Mordor Intelligence, the Global Mobile Anti-Malware market was worth $4.50 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $12.40 billion by 2026 while growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 18.4% from 2020 to 2026.
Mordor Intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) Do Android phones need antivirus?
Answer: Since many of our important tasks, including financial transfers, are done through our phones, it is very important to keep our data secure. A virus can damage your important files and can even monitor your moves. Thus, getting antivirus for your android phone will always prove to be a wise idea.
Q #2) Which is the best free antivirus for Android?
Answer: Bitdefender is the best antivirus for Android, because of its usability, but it gives fewer free features, as compared to its alternatives. Thus, the best free antivirus app for android includes Avira, Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus, and Avast Mobile Security.
Q #3) Which is better: Avira or Bitdefender?
Answer: Bitdefender offers the cheapest prices for the range of features that it offers. If you want the highest number of useful features at comparatively lower prices, then go with Bitdefender.
But if you want an unlimited VPN, then you should choose Avira. The VPN offered by Bitdefender can be used for browsing 200 MB per day only.
Q #4) Does Android have built-in virus protection?
Answer: Yes, Android phones give you free, in-built virus protection.
It is Google Play Protect, which keeps unwanted apps and malware away from your device. It keeps on screening the apps from time to time and even gives you anti-theft tools and much more.
Q #5) How do I check for malware on my android?
Answer: If you want to check for malware on your Android device, follow these steps:
Open Google Play Store on your mobile.
Open Menu by clicking on the green icon having the first letter of the registered Google account.
Then select ‘Play Protect’.
Click on ‘scan’.
Then the Google Play Protect app scans the downloaded apps on your device and gives you the results.
Q #6) Can Androids be hacked?
Answer: Yes, androids can be hacked and someone can even spy on you, through your camera or microphone, and can even steal your confidential information.
Following are the major signs that occur if a device gets hacked:
The battery and data drain too fast.
You find your device is rooted (it requires basic technical knowledge to root a device and get access to it).
You hear some background sound or echoing noises.
Your device behaves weirdly.
You notice apps on your device that you did not install – This can be a major sign as a hacker would need to install an app on your device, for rooting it.
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List Of Top Free Antivirus For Android Smartphones
Here is the list of popular and best free android antivirus:
Bitdefender Mobile Security
Avira
Norton Mobile Security
Avast Mobile Security
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
AVG Antivirus Free
Trend Micro Mobile Security
McAfee Mobile Security
Malwarebytes Security
Google Play Protect
Comparing The Best Android Antivirus Apps
Tool Name Best for Price Free version
Bitdefender Mobile Security Absolute protection at affordable prices. $14.99 for a year (for one account) Available
Avira Free privacy protection Starts at $11.99 per year Available
Norton Mobile Security Personal use $14.99 for a year Not available (free trial is available for 7 days).
Avast Mobile Security Family or office use $44.99 per year (supports 10 devices) Available
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus 24/7 protection $11.99 for a year Available
Reviews about the top Antivirus for Android:
1) Bitdefender Mobile Security
Best for absolute protection at affordable prices.
Bitdefender Mobile Security
Bitdefender Mobile Security is the best antivirus app for Android smartphones. It gives protection to your Android device, against any malware or virus, while putting minimal impact on your device’s battery.
Top Features:
Gives you a secure VPN for surfing the Internet.
Lets you find, lock or format your device, in case it is lost or stolen.
Puts zero to minimal impact on your battery life.
Look after your account’s privacy and verify whether your email account has been breached.
Works on Android 5.0 or later.
An Internet connection is required for its functioning.
Verdict: With Bitdefender, you can get access to a secure VPN that lets you surf the Internet for 200 MB per day. Plus, you get anti-theft protection, protection against viruses, and much more.
The app is affordable and highly recommended. A free version is also available, but its alternatives are giving a better range of features with their free plans.
Price: Price plans are as follows:
For 1 account: $14.99 (for the first year)
For 5 accounts: $44.99 (for the first year)
Website: Bitdefender Mobile Security
2) Avira
Best for free privacy protection.
avira
Avira is the best free antivirus for Android. It protects your privacy, blocks malicious apps and websites, gives you a free VPN for 100 MB per day, and much more.
There are paid plans too that let you install premium mobile apps, give you VIP customer support, and much more.
Top Features:
Get a free VPN for surfing 100 MB per day.
Tools to help you get your phone back in case of a theft.
Notifies you instantly, in case of data breaching.
Lock the apps on your phone with a password.
Blocks all websites that seem to be a threat to your device.
Verdict: Having experience of over 30 years in the industry, more than 20 million users worldwide, and having a 4.6/5 rating on the Google Play store, Avira is undoubtedly one of the most popular and recommended antivirus for Android devices.
Price: There is a free version and three paid plans. Price plans are as follows:
Security Pro: $11.99 per year
Prime Mobile: $31.99 per year
Website: Avira
3) Norton Mobile Security
Best for personal use.
norton
Norton Mobile Security is the best antivirus for Android smartphones. It protects your device from threats, gives security from cyber crimes and dangerous Wi-Fi networks, and safeguards you while you browse the Internet.
Top Features:
Their patent-protected app scanning technology saves your mobile phone from any sort of threat.
Helps to save your device from cyber-crimes.
Notifies you if you connect to a non-trustworthy Wi-Fi network.
Detects malicious websites.
You can keep a check on the privacy risks before downloading an app from Google Play.
Verdict: Norton Mobile Security is an affordable and reliable solution for the security of your Android mobile devices. This award-winning Android antivirus is highly recommended for personal use.
Price: $14.99 for a year.
Website: Norton Mobile Security
4) Avast Mobile Security
Best for families or offices.
Avast
Avast Mobile Security is a popular, light, and powerful antivirus software that gives free security for Android phones. This antivirus app aims at maintaining the utmost privacy, security, and performance of your Android device.
Top Features:
Detects malicious apps.
Protects you from links on the web that can cause a threat to your device.
Checks how secure a Wi-Fi network is.
Keep your browsing history private with the VPN provided by Avast.
Lets you share the app with up to 10 devices.
Verdict: Having 4.7/5 ratings on the Google Play store, Avast Mobile Security is the best free antivirus for Android phones. This antivirus is recommended if you want one for multiple devices at your home/office.
Price: Prices are as follows:
Avast Premium Security: Free for Android devices. ($44.99 per year for 10 devices).
Avast Ultimate: $49.99 per year (for a single device), $59.99 per year for 10 devices.
Website: Avast Mobile Security
5) Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Best for 24/7 protection from threats at no cost.
kaspersky
Kaspersky provides mobile security for Android devices. It offers you antivirus and tools for protecting your privacy and identity. This software works on artificial intelligence to continuously detect and block potential threats to your device.
Top Features:
Keeps an eye on threats 24/7.
Anti-theft features, including locking, locating, and wiping a stolen device.
Detects the apps that are spying on your calls or texts.
Alerts you if you come across a URL that steals your information.
Automatically scans your apps.
Verdict: Kaspersky is highly recommended and the best antivirus app for Android. With affordable pricing, you get tools for protection against theft, cybercrime, malicious websites, links or apps, and much more.
Price: A free plan is available. Paid plan costs $11.99 per year (for one device).
Website: Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
6) AVG Antivirus Free
Best for the camera trap feature.
AVG Antivirus Free
AVG Antivirus Free is the best free antivirus for Android. They also offer some paid features, which can be availed for free, for 30 days. This software protects your Android device from viruses and theft. You also get tools for protecting your privacy by locking your apps with a password.
Top Features:
Helps you find your phone in case of theft.
You can lock the apps on your phone with a password.
If someone tries an incorrect password on your mobile 3 times, the app will automatically take his photo and will mail it to you, with the time and location of the incident.
Automatically locks your device when the sim is replaced.
Protects your device from viruses, malware, spyware, unsafe apps and settings, unwanted callers, and other nasty threats.
Verdict: Having over 100 million downloads itself says a lot about this antivirus for Android. The free features are pleasant. The camera trap feature, which captures the image of the one who tries to unlock the device, is something exceptional.
Price: The app is available for free. There is a Pro (paid) plan too, which is free for 30 days.
Website: AVG Antivirus Free
7) Trend Micro Mobile Security
Best for home or business purposes.
Trend Micro Mobile Security
Trend Micro is a 30-year-old Internet security solution. They provide solutions for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Chromebook. You can opt for a home or business solution. The antivirus is available for free. You can go for the paid plan for additional features.
Top Features:
Optimization features improve the performance of your device.
A smart cloud-based network prevents threats from reaching your device.
Protects your identity from those who want to spy on you.
Protection for kids.
Works on Android 4.1 or later and iOS 11 or later.
Verdict: Trend Micro Mobile Security gives you free antivirus tools for detecting and fixing viruses and other threats to your device. We can recommend their plans for 5 or 10 devices for home or business use.
Price: Prices are as follows:
Maximum Security: $39.95 per year, for 5 devices
Premium Security Suite: $69.95 per year, for 10 devices
Website: Trend Micro Mobile Security
8) McAfee Mobile Security
Best for safeguarding your personal information.
mcafee
McAfee Mobile Security provides identity protection services. With McAfee, you can get the tools that can safeguard your device from viruses, protect your identity and provide you a secure VPN.
Top Features:
Protects you from threats like malicious links, websites, etc.
Get access to McAfee’s VPN to protect your credentials and financial information from those who want to steal your info.
Regularly scan the apps on your device and blocks threats.
Protects your personal information from non-trustworthy websites or links.
Verdict: McAfee is an award-winning antivirus services provider, which optimizes the performance of your device, gives you a safe browsing experience, protects your identity, and much more. All these features make McAfee a highly recommended antivirus for Android.
Price: There is a free trial for 30 days. Prices start at $24.99 for a year (for 10 devices).
McAfee price
Website: McAfee Mobile Security
9) Malwarebytes Security
Best for automatic threat detection and removal.
malwarebytes
Malwarebytes Security is the top antivirus app for Android. It brings about features for cyber protection, by giving you tools for the removal of threats to your device, detecting phishing URLs, and much more.
Top Features:
Automatic detection and removal of threats.
The privacy audit feature looks for apps that monitor your moves.
Detects phishing URLs.
Frees up your Android device from bloatware, so that it can run smoothly.
Gives you VPN so that you can protect your privacy.
Verdict: Malwarebytes Security can be a good option for business purposes. They offer separate plans for personal as well as business use.
Price: Price plans for personal use are as follows:
Basic: $3.33 per month (for one device)
Essential (for one device): $5 per month
Essential (for five devices): $6.67 per month.
Website: Malwarebytes Security
10) Google Play Protect
Best for reliable and free protection.
Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect helps to keep your device and data safe by detecting and removing the Potentially Harmful Applications (PHAs), gives you anti-theft tools, notifies you if it finds anyone monitoring your location or other activities, and much more.
Top Features:
Cloud-based app verification ensures that the apps are not Potentially Harmful Applications (PHAs).
Automatically removes and blocks a PHA, if it finds that it is of no use to the user.
Helps you find your device in case of a theft
Lets you lock the device or erase data remotely
Verdict: Google Play Protect is an in-built system of the Google Play store. It keeps away the non-trustworthy apps, helps you find your device in case of theft, and has a lot more to offer.
But the experts are of the view that you can not rely solely on Google Play Protect, for security purposes.
Price: Free
Website: Google Play Protect
Conclusion
After doing a thorough study about the top antivirus apps for Android, we are now able to conclude the following points:
In these times of increasing cyber crimes and password hacks, opting for an antivirus for your device will always be a wise decision.
Most of the antivirus software for Android offer their basic features for free or at nominal charges. Thus, anyone can get an android antivirus easily.
The best antivirus for android is Bitdefender Mobile Security. It offers the widest range of features at the most affordable prices.
The Camera Trap feature offered by AVG Antivirus Free is something exceptional. Though this feature is available with the paid version, it can be extremely beneficial.
Conclusion
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