We’ve all seen how our Android devices can be vulnerable to potentially dangerous and malicious malware-infected apps. To prevent them from getting into your device, take a look at these anti-malware apps for Android devices.
Avast Free Mobile Security
Developer: Avast Software
Avast boasts of a number of anti-theft and anti-malware features that would surely entice Android users. Its anti-malware feature offers browsing protection that automatically delivers prompts once you bump into a malicious website. Its antivirus feature also performs on-demand scans of all installed apps and memory card content, as well as virus scans upon app installation. You can schedule scans, update virus definitions, uninstall apps, delete files, and get virus reports.
The app also comes with SMS and call filtering that allows you to block incoming messages and calls based on the hour of day and the names of contacts you select. It also has a task manager-like feature that shows the list of running apps, their size, the amount of memory they use, and an option to stop or uninstall them. For instance, you’re running the phone system app by RingCentral on your device and you want to end it right away. All you have to do is “kill” the running app via your Avast app manager. Rooted and non-rooted devices are supported, but there’s no backup feature so you’ll have to look elsewhere.
AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free
Developer: AVG
AVG offers free protection for smartphones and tablets through this security app. Like the other anti-virus tools, the app gives out prompts for those visiting malicious websites. Additionally, it scans incoming SMS or text messages to ensure protection; and hosts an array of remote tools like device location, alarms, locking, wiping, and scanning. There’s also a malware scanner, a task killer, a tune-up utility that helps you save battery usage and storage space, and a personal data wiper.
For a one-time fee of $1.99, you can get the Pro version, that adds and app locker, and app backup and support. There’s also a paid version that’s especially optimized for tablets. A downside, though, is the disappointing user interface that the AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free sports.
Lookout Mobile Security
Developer: Lookout
Lookout Mobile Security provides Android devices solid protection from malware, phishing, and possible device loss or theft. You can set the app to do full scans on a daily or weekly basis and specify the day and time you want it to be done. It also provides you with a backup functionality that lets you specify when to perform the backups (also daily or weekly). For $2.99 per month or $29.99 a year, you can also backup your pictures and call history to Lookout’s servers using Lookout Premium.
The Lookout security app appears on your device’s notification bar by default to give you quick access to whatever you want to do with it. In case you don’t want it on your notification bar, you can configure its settings by going to the native Settings icon on your mobile device. In addition, you can get your full activity history on its user-friendly website, which also allows you to initiate backups and restores and gives you access to Lookout’s remote recovery tools.