If you own a smartphone with sensitive information You must secure it. Antivirus software protects you from cyber-attacks, hacks and other threats that could put your data at risk of falling into the hands of someone with bad intentions. The best Android antivirus apps have additional features like a Wi-Fi security scan, a privacy adviser and a password manager. The majority of them are free or come with premium features that are paid for.
Some of these are freemium. This means that they offer a basic limited version and a paid version with extra security features such as a VPN or password manager. But, it’s important to select an antivirus that does not overload your device with unnecessary features, and has a high level of malware detection.
In addition to the built-in security provided by Google Play Protect, which is included on all Android devices, you require an antivirus app to prevent infection from other sources and to keep your device updated with the latest security updates. These apps also prevent attacks that Google Play Protect misses, especially those that attempt to override Android’s security features by taking permissions.
Avira is a popular lightweight antivirus that offers good security against all major threats and comes with a wide range of additional features. Its camera-trap feature, for example, takes a photo of anyone who attempts to unlock your phone. It then sends you the image along with the time and date of the attack. Other notable features include secure VPN for browsing as well as a call blocker feature and many more. It’s among the most fully-featured antivirus apps available and has the highest malware detection rate when tested by AV-Comparatives.