Smartphone malware is on the rise and as we all increasingly use our phones to interact with our daily lives, from social networks to internet banking, the risk of data loss and identity theft is becoming a serious threat. Love it or hate it, Google's Android operating system has been the most targeted system so far due to its open app store which allows anyone to easily upload unchecked apps. Fortunately, many of the world's leading computer security firms have been quick to protect our phones with a range of anti-malware apps. Here are the best five antivirus apps for Android smartphones.
1. Kaspersky Mobile Security
Kaspersky have become well-known over the last 12 months with a series of high-profile and high-budget advertising campaigns. Their mobile security app for Android is their mobile extension to their popular and effective PC security software. The app affords the user protection from viruses, span and harmful programs as well as unsolicited phone calls and text messages. A very useful addition is that it has a built-in anti-theft system through which it will locate your mobile phone through Google Maps and disable and wipe your phone of your information and contacts, even if the thief has taken out your sim card.
2. Norton Mobile Security
Norton is another famous name in the world of computer security that has expanded into phone protection. Its features include the ability to scan an external SD card when inserted into your phone, to ensure you are not allowing viruses onto your phone as well as a remote locking feature which works in a similar manner to the Kaspersky app in that it allows you to place a security lock on your phone wherever you are through a simple text message. The app will also ensure that you are protected from phishing websites and other harmful pop-ups or sites.
3. Bitdefender Mobile Security
Bitdefender boasts 400million users throughout the world and their app not only provides protection from pages and malicious online sites but also scans all downloaded apps as they are installed. It also helps you control the privacy permissions associated with some of your apps. Many apps will include often confusing requests to access various areas of personal information, some necessary and some unnecessary, but Bitdefender provides you with the option to control the permissions of all your apps in one place. Its not entirely free with Bitdefender charging for the Web-Security and Anti-Theft features but you can try all of it for two weeks free before you decide whether you wish to go forward.
4. Antivirus Free
Antivirus Free may not be as well-known in the wider world but in the world of Android, it has gained quite a following with nearly 10million users and a 4.5 out of 5 rating from over 47,000 reviewers. Claiming to be faster and lighter on battery usage than any other antivirus software, the Antivirus Free aims to provide comprehensive protection from malware apps as well as from online spyware and trojans. A simple, no-frills app, Antivirus Free doesn’t have as many features as some of the other apps but it is this simplicity that makes it so appealing.
5. ALYac Android
The ALYac Android app provides an aesthetically pleasing user interface that is easy to use but still provides the protection you get from the more advanced apps. As well as malicious file and package detection and application scanning, it also helps filter spam and ensure that any apps that are downloaded and running remain safe to use.
I would like to thank Simon from Best Mobile Contracts for submitting this guest post.
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