Hackers are targeting smartphones and tablets to steal information, or even damage them. Antivirus software shields your device from malware and corrupted software. Many of the top antivirus programs contain additional features that help protect your phone or tablet. Some of these features include a password management system and a virtual private network (VPN) and an app lock which requires a password to access the apps. Some even have an anti-theft feature to locate your device in the event that it gets lost or stolen.
Some apps are free, while some offer a paid version that includes features like the use of a VPN and identity theft protection. These premium applications typically cost around $15 to $30 annually Some also offer one-year subscriptions that give unlimited access to their services.
Norton Mobile Security is the most popular antivirus application for android. It has received top scores in independent tests, and comes with a variety of security features such as an anti-theft function as well as a superior malware detection capabilities and a low-resource drain. It also detects malware threats, including ransomware, which can erase or decrypt your files. It also has a the useful feature known as Camera Trap, which snaps the image of anyone trying to gain access to your device.
Another highly rated option is Kaspersky, which has nearly 100% malware detection and has a minimal impact on performance. It offers a variety of other security features like call filtering, and Wear OS support. A Wi-Fi network scan is also accessible to prevent devices from connecting to unsafe networks. It’s not as robust like the other apps listed in this roundup but there are no ads in the free version and very little pressure to upgrade to the premium version.