Your smartphone holds all your data like credit cards, photos, chats, emails, and online history. When you open some websites or download an app, it can contain a virus or a malicious website that can harm your device and even steal your personal information.
Some malicious websites can steal your identity and money. Antivirus apps check every site you open and every link you click to keep you safe.
The best mobile antivirus apps offer top-notch malware detection and prevention and a range of privacy and anti-theft features.
These include tracking your phone or tablet via GPS, snapping a picture of a phone thief with the device’s camera, and even using your Android Wear smartwatch to locate your phone.
Unfortunately, Android devices have many threats, so you have to choose the best antivirus for your smartphone.
Best Antivirus Apps and Anti-malware Apps for Android
Suppose you are not using antivirus apps on your smartphone or tablet. In that case, you risk infection from corrupted apps and other malware you don’t want on your phone or any device.
The good news is that your options are far from limited. The best antivirus apps offer not only top-notch malware detection and prevention but also a range of privacy and anti-theft features as well. And some of them are even free too. So, let’s look at our top 8 antivirus and anti-malware apps.
1. AVG Antivirus Free
AVG scans apps, games, and settings in real time and boosts your phone speed by closing the background apps. It deletes the cache files on your device. If your phone gets stolen, you can see your phone’s location through Google Maps. This antivirus can even scan the Wi-Fi network to detect viruses.
You can see whatever app is installed on your phone and its permissions, too. Though there are many useful features, this app’s Annoying feature contains many ads and asks for upgrades many times.
2. Bitdefender Free Antivirus
A Free Antivirus gives you smart anti-virus and web security for your smartphone or tablet. It uses cloud scanning technology to detect the latest threats without straining the battery. You get industry-leading antivirus technology that offers ironclad protection from viruses and other internet threats.
It tells you if apps need access to your private data or use up your data plan. If your device gets stolen or lost, it helps you easily locate, secure, and wipe your phone clean of delicate private information.
You can use any phone to call your device back in stealth mode. Install Bitdefender for Android and protect your device from viruses and privacy intruders.
3. Avira
The user interface of Avira antivirus security for Android gives you a complete security status overview and is elegant and easy to use. With Avira antivirus for Android, you’re getting mobile security that consistently outperforms in third-party tests. This free security app protects you against threats like spyware, ransomware, viruses, and Trojans.
Avira protects people from threats in real time with minimal system impacts, a powerful cloud system, and artificial intelligence. If your device is lost or stolen, you can locate and lock your registered devices, trigger an alarm, or delete all your data directly from the app or remote. In addition, compared to other apps, Avira has a faster virus scan.
4. ESET Mobile Security and Antivirus
This one hunts for malicious apps on your Android and gives you control over what to scan. It has a brilliant design and comprehensive detection capabilities. The app offers a few settings to fine-tune before starting. Then, it automatically starts a malware scan once it has been installed.
It lets you enable real-time app protection by creating a security password to control your device over SMS. Most importantly, ESET apps are affordable and do not interfere with operational tasks like other security apps. They continually scan your device for malware and let you know if it is alert to threats.
5. Lookout Security and Antivirus
A very simplified way to protect your phone from mobile threats. It is a free app available on the Google Play Store.
Lookout runs in the background and scans any new apps you download or websites you visit for threats and security concerns. Once you set up an account with Lookout, you can remotely view or download your backups.
When you visit a site, you’ll see a small pop-up saying that Lookout is scanning the file for known threats. You can then find your device on a map or send out a signal flare, which sends the phone’s location before it runs out of battery.
Lookout also updates its malware definitions in the background to get the most up-to-date protection possible.
6. McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee offers decent malware protection and lets other people safely and briefly use your phone. Also, you get anti-theft features, a way to track each app’s data usage and a Wi-Fi security scanner. Device lock is a feature that takes a snap if someone tries to open your phone lock three times without your permission.
It has features like a battery booster, which helps you save your phone’s battery by closing apps running in the background. Another useful feature is deleting all phone data in case your phone gets stolen. McAfee is a powerful antivirus tool with good performance optimization.
7. Norton 360
Norton makes getting the right protection for your mobile world incredibly easy with one convenient web-based service. First, Norton helps you quickly find and protect your devices when they go missing. You can set a screaming alarm to see if your phone or tablet is hiding nearby.
If that doesn’t work, you can quickly pinpoint your mobile device’s location on a map and then remotely lock it so people can’t use or see what’s on it. If you think it’s been stolen, wipe it clean, and even use the built-in camera to snap sneak peek photos of whoever’s using it.
Norton 360 also protects your mobile device from online threats and annoying intrusions. It checks apps and app updates for threats without slowing down performance.
8. Sophos Intercept X for Mobile
This app is free and offers all the features without charging anything. With Sophos Mobile Security installed in your smartphone, you can protect your smartphone against all malicious applications. You can also secure certain apps from passwords, and the app comes with a host of benefits from things like malware protection.
It provides a link checker and safety reminders. Security features and benefits ensure your device’s safety and security. Sophos Mobile is the EMM solution for businesses that want less time and effort managing and securing mobile devices.
9. Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is another comprehensive antivirus app for Android. It provides free virus protection, a phone cleaner, and protection against phishing, ransomware, and spyware.
Furthermore, it has useful spam-blocking features and allows you to scan your device for viruses fully. As a result, over 10 million Android users rely on this app to protect their devices in various ways.
10. Avast Antivirus
Avast Antivirus is trusted by 430 million people and is a prominent name in providing security to smartphones and PCs. The free version offers features such as an antivirus engine, hack check, photo vault, virus cleaner, file checker, and more.
In the premium section, you will find ultimate mobile security that detects viruses more efficiently. Its spam protection features include an alert system that notifies you when a threat is detected. Furthermore, all necessary features are available in Avast Antivirus.
