05/03/2017
Here are the best antivirus and security apps for Android. / © ANDROIDPIT
1. CM Security: best malware protection
CM security (Clean Master) is an award-winning security option and provides some of the best malware protection on Android. It's made by Cheetah Mobile, a research company that produces credible reports on the state of the Android platform with regard to all things scam, and its dedicated app is fast and comprehensive.
CleanMaster Security knows its business because it research malware for a living. / © Cheetah Mobile
CM Security AppLock AntiVirus
2. 360 Security - Antivirus: best real-time protection
360 (formerly known as Qihoo) is a long-standing and popular Android antivirus app with all the bells and whistles required to protect your phone. Naturally, it has an antivirus engine, which automatically scans your files and updates its definitions.
Each installation, whether from the Play Store or beyond, has to pass through 360 real-time protection before it can end up on your phone. On top of that, 360 is a system cleaner that cleans out junk files, frees up RAM and has some neat power-saving features too.
360 Security is the new name for Qihoo, one of the most robust antivirus apps. / © 360 Mobile Security Limited
360 Security - Antivirus Boost
3. Kaspersky Internet Security: best anti-phishing protection
The PC version of Kaspersky is regularly showered with accolades and often voted the best internet security suite you can get. The free mobile version offers all the standard anti-malware protection you'd expect, as well as a whole host of anti-theft features.
Upgrade to the premium version (US$14.95 for one year), and you get anti-phishing protection for your text messaging, cloud protection and privacy protection when you surf the web.
One of the best PC internet security suites does a good job on Android too. / © Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Internet Security
4. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware: best privacy manager
Malwarebytes built its reputation as one of the most lightweight PC protection tools around. The free Android version is a chip off the old block, focusing on ease-of-use rather than tons of features. It offers anti-malware protection, a privacy manager, and also scans apps that are behaving suspiciously.
The developers have also stayed ahead of the curve by integrating Malwarebytes with Android Device Manager – the remote tracking/anti-theft Android feature that effectively negates such features on many Android antivirus suites.
The Android version of Malwarebytes protects your device with minimal fuss. / © Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
5. AVL: best interface
AVL antivirus is an efficient Android security option with an intuitive user-interface. While it doesn't include some of the more advanced anti-theft features that can be found in similar apps, it's great for your basic protection needs and less likely to impact your battery or damage performance than some. AVL comes highly recommended.
AVL antivirus is a lean, clean virus-fighting machine.© AVL Team
AVL
6. AVG Antivirus Security: best for protection and anti-theft
AVG Antivirus is a free application that protects your smartphone in real time from viruses, malicious applications and other spyware. You can review your applications but also your files, settings and more.
There's even an option to close apps that are significantly slowing your smartphone down or abusing your battery. Also, if you lose your device, you can block or delete your information and locate your device via Google Maps .
AVG is a well-known name in antivirus, and you can wipe your device remotely if necessary. © AVG
AVG AntiVirus FREE for Android
7. Norton Security Antivirus: best premium version
Norton Security Antivirus is a free application that blocks and removes malware. Pay for the premium version, and you get a whole load more features, such as remote locking and Sneak Peak, which takes photos of people using your device if you've flagged it as stolen.
