Top 5 Antivirus Apps for Android

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.

I am always interested in your thoughts so if you have any comments or feedback then please feel free to add any comments, or you can mail me  here.

Prepare for the BlackBerry Bold 9790

The makers of BlackBerry have started the fightback to regain their place in the UK smartphone market. Canadian manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) has announced they have added over a million new subscribers to its subscriber base in the UK since May. It means over eight million have now signed up.

BlackBerry has lost out during 2011 against Android and cheap iPhone contracts; however with the launch of the BlackBerry Bold 9790 along with the BlackBerry Curve 9380 and the launch of BBM Music in the UK, they are hoping to win back some lost market share.

Around the world, BlackBerry has seen around a 40% increase in its subscriber base. Just over a year ago the figure stood at 50million, it is now 70 million. Around 165 million smartphones in the market place are BlackBerry. They may look like impressive figures but in the UK in October this year RIM was pushed into third place in terms of sales figures of smartphones. Android secured 46% of the market in the 12 weeks before 30^th October, iOS got 27.8% of the market while RIM dropped from 20.9% of the market this time last year to 19.6% now.

Some believe their reduction in their share of the smartphone market has been caused by simply not releasing devices that are as good as their competitors. Smaller screens, competing with dual-core processors and 8 megapixel cameras, BlackBerry devices have not been seen to measure up and so they have lost out. Coupled with that Apple and Android have directly targeted RIM’s core target market; iMessage taking on the dominant BBM and Android emphasising the ease of which its devices can be used for business.

The BlackBerry Bold 9790 aims to change all that. With a touch display and traditional keyboard the device has a 1 GHz processor and 8GB of memory.  A memory card slot offers an additional 32 GB of storage. Powered with 768MB RAM and with a 5 megapixel camera the device is targeted at the UK’s ever expanding smartphone market. Additional features include Augmented Reality, NFC Capability, and the ability to synchronize with computers and other devices. The 9790 uses BlackBerry’s new OS, BB7, which, in addition to other features, allows users to separate their personal and their corporate content. Building on BlackBerry’s domination and reputation in the business market it offers the opportunity for people to use one device for home and work, but still make a clear distinction between the two.

The device launched in Indonesia last month but enthusiasm turned sour when several people were injured after a stampede broke out. The first 1,000 people to buy the new device would get a 50% discount. RIM has said they will launch their own investigation.

BlackBerry may be in third place in the UK smartphone market but a drop in its reach compared with major competitors Apple and Android has shown the manufacturer needs to regain its position and launch a new device with the wow factor and cheap BlackBerry phone deals. They will be hoping the BlackBerry Bold 9790 does just that when it is released in January.

I would like to thank Simon from Best Mobile Contracts for submitting this guest post.

I am always interested in your thoughts so if you have any comments or feedback then please feel free to add any comments, or you can mail me  here.

Xperia Play Launch Delays

I have just been reading in the metro regarding the launch of the new Playstation phone the "Xperia Play".  They are reporting that there are alot of customers that are upset as Vodaphone, O2 and Three have postponed selling the phone, and they may not be able to get their hands on the device until next week.

Vodaphone customers have also been waiting on the Arc, which was due for release today, Vodaphone have said they are doing their best to resolve this as quickly as possible. 

O2 have postponed their launch because of software issues during testing.

This is the first 'Playstation certified' phone, which on launch will run Android Gingerbread (2.3) operating system.  Sony have commented saying the delays are due to a freight issue which delayed shipping.