Avast Mobile Security
Pros:
Free version includes firewall, antitheft, and call blocking
App locking
VPN in premium version
Cons:
Ads in free version
Bottom Line:
The free version should be robust enough for most users, and stepping up to the premium version adds VPN and other significant features.
Versions:
Avast Mobile Security, comes with just about everything = free
Avast Mobile Security Pro, adds VPN, password management, and a few other features; one license is $40, three is $55, and five is $85, with a 10-license pack running about $14 per device.
A giant in the antivirus business, Avast products are well-known for performance and feature sets. The Avast Mobile Security free version comes with just about everything you need to keep your phone completely secure.
This includes spam blocking, viruses and malware detection and removal, malicious app detection and virus removal, malicious web pages and links detection, Wi-Fi network security screening, anti theft protection (including taking a picture and audio of the thief with the Pro version), storage cleanup, RAM boost, battery consumption controls, and much more.
Stepping up to the Pro version gets you, again, snapshots and audio of a potential thief, register and lock on SIM card change, VPN, protecting apps and media via PIN codes, and password management.
Avast also monitors your usage to see what apps you use most of the time, determines which apps are better off used on a Wi-Fi (as opposed to phone data network) connection, and helps you determine how specific apps access specific aspects of your phone, such as, say, contacts, email, messages, and so on.
Bitdefender
Pros:
Low OS overhead
Myriad Features, including antitheft, VPN, and ransomware protection
Remote Control and Monitoring
Cons:
Scans must be scheduled or initiated manually
Bottom Line:
Depending on the version you choose, Bitdefender is a huge, comprehensive antivirus and security mega-suite app.
Versions:
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, works with Windows, macOS, and Android = Free
Bitdefender Total Security 2019, protects up to five Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS devices for one year = $89.99 MSRP / $44.99 retail
An award winner by nearly every publication and organization that has reviewed it, Bitdefender is a powerful Android antivirus and security app.
The free addition, of course, provides bare-bones antivirus and malware protection features, including behavioral detection to closely monitor your active apps, and when it detects anything suspicious, it takes instant action. Powerful scan engines ensure detection and removal of all malware, from viruses, worms and Trojans, and ransomware, zero-day exploits, rootkits and spyware.
Bitdefender Total Security comes with just about every Android security feature available, including antitheft, device administrator, app lock, account privacy, and much, much more. If you enable it, there’s even a feature that takes a snapshot when somebody tries to guess your lock screen PIN.
While you must schedule or initiate scans manually, which is what makes this app’s OS overhead so small, Bitdefender’s virus scans in my test are among the fastest in the business. App lock provides additional security on Messages, emails, and settings, as well as other apps you choose. It also protects you from fraudulent and malicious sites inside Chrome and several other browsers.
Kaspersky
Pros:
Excellent malware protection
Protect up to 20 devices
Numerous features include parental control, password management, VPN, and security
Online dashboard for managing security
Cons:
Password manager could be more robust
Requires several separate installations
Bottom Line:
Depending on the version you choose, Kaspersky is a full-featured, no-nonsense antivirus-security app that leaves little to be desired.
Versions:
Kaspersky Internet Security for Android, a robust feature set = Free
Kaspersky Total Security, one device for one year for $14.95; three devices for one year for $24.95. There’s also multiplatform version that supports up to 20 Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices ($149.99 MSRP / $59.99 retail)
The free Kaspersky version is one of the most robust I’ve seen and may be all you really need to protect your Android smartphone. Not only does it deliver powerful mobile antivirus and malware protection, but it also scans for dangerous apps and links, though you’ll have to initiate a $4-per-month update to get that.
What does come with the free version is full-featured anti theft protection, including the ability to lock your phone or wipe it remotely if it’s stolen or lost. What’s missing in the free version, though, is the ability to set up automated scans for malware, anti-phishing protection for sites and SMS links, and a confidentiality feature that allows you to lock your apps with a code, as well as hide calls and texts from unauthorized users on your device.
Kaspersky also makes Kaspersky Security Cloud, which lists for $149.99 and sells on the street for about 1/3 of that. With this product you get 20 Android, Windows, macOS, or iOS installs devices. Depending on the device, features and controls are extensive. Protection on your Android smartphone includes Wi-Fi network scanning, OS optimization, Unused Data Cleaner for removing unused apps, and a battery life saver and booster.
It does not, however, provide antivirus protection. You have to install that separately with the free Android app discussed earlier. There’s also a Kaspersky Safe Kids option that filters content and monitors social media. And you can use the app to track your child’s location on his or her smartphone.
McAfee
Pros:
Inexpensive 10 license version available
Checks for app data leakage
Strong antiphishing support
Ransomware protection
Cons:
Ads in free version
Bottom Line:
For households and businesses with many devices, McAfee AntiVirus Plus supports 10 Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS devices.
Versions:
McAfee Mobile Security for Android = Free
McAfee Total Protection, come in three versions, one, five, and 10 licenses for Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS devices, for $29.99, $39.99, and $44.99 per year, respectively.
A huge and trusted name in antivirus and security, McAfee’s offerings, whether you choose the standalone free Android version or the multiplatform Total Protection product, keep your devices protected. In addition to antivirus protection, the free version has extensive anti theft and device locator features, including the ability to snap a picture of the thief or somebody else trying to breach your smartphone.
However, to get the ability to check for malicious sites, the app lock feature, Wi-Fi network protection, eliminate ads, and a media back up feature, you must step up to the Pro version, which runs $79.99, or $30 more than the multiplatform 10 device Total Protection package. Though you do get support for up to 10 Android devices with the Pro Android package.
Stepping up to the multiplatform Total Protection product gets you, in addition to the features listed in the previous paragraph, ID theft protection, password management, ransomware protection, a firewall, McAfee Mobile Security, and more. If you have only one device to protect, however, by far the best deal is the $30 Total Protection package.
While this is an excellent product, McAfee should take another look at its pricing logistics. In addition, during installation, somehow I managed to lock my McAfee online account before I finished setting it up, which added several frustrating steps to getting Anti Theft and other features that depended on my account working.
Norton
Pros:
Terrific antivirus and malware detection and removal
Lock your phone remotely
Consistently top scores during testing
Built-in firewall
Virus protection guarantee
VPN
Parental controls
Online backup
Cons:
Requires upgrade for malicious site protection
Bottom Line:
Tons of features, including online backup, VPN, many security features, parental controls, and more, make Norton 360 a stalwart in antivirus and security products.
Versions:
Norton Mobile Security, provides extensive security, including anti theft and call blocking = free for 30 days then $29.99 (on sale for half that as I wrote this).
Norton 360, comes in Standard and Deluxe ($79.99 MSRP / $49.99 retail, $99.99 MSRP / $59.99 retail), with the primary difference being that the Deluxe product supports up to five Android, Windows, macOS, or iOS devices. Also comes with 50GB of online backup space.
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select, comes with everything in the previous product plus LifeLock Identity Theft protection and 100GB of backup space, for $149.99 MSRP / $99.99 retail.
Certainly one of the first and probably the most well-known, Norton antivirus and security products have been around a long time and they work exceptionally well. While there is no “free” product, per se, the company does offer a 30 day trial of its Norton Mobile Security, or you can get it in a five-device bundle in Norton 360 Deluxe (which I’ve been using without issue for several years).
In addition to antivirus protection you get the following features:
Online threat protection
Antitheft
Cloud backup
Smart Firewall
Password manager
Virus protection guarantee
Parental controls
VPN
LifeLock Features
US-based identity restoration
Lost wallet protection
Million Dollar Protection Package
Credit monitoring
SSN monitoring
Data breach notifications
Granted, not everybody needs all this, and to get it all you must pay from $100 to $150 per year. Norton also promises that your devices will stay virus free or refund your money.
Conclusion
In addition to these five products, there are numerous others available, and settling on these wasn’t easy. Many of them are free. But, if you’re like me, with a household full of Android, Windows, and iOS devices, you’re far better off choosing one of the mega-bundles that provide multiplatform support.
Be careful, though, even the best of these skimp on Apple device support. The good news is that macOS and iOS are closed architectures and therefore not so easily exploited, nor do they present nearly as large, jucy a target as do Android devices.
In any case, be sure to check that the bundle you choose comes with the desired features on the platforms you use.
Topic: 5 Best Android Devices Antivirus (Read 16685 times)
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July 17, 2015, 03:03:18 PM