There are plenty of antivirus tools for Android. Here's how the top 12 measure up in protection, usability and features.
There are plenty of antivirus tools for Android. Here's how the top 12 measure up in protection, usability and features.
The following are the 12 best antivirus tools for Android, according to AV-TEST’s May 2018 evaluations of 20 Android security apps. (The AV-TEST Institute is a Germany-based independent service provider of IT security and antivirus research.) Each Android antivirus software app listed below received perfect protection and usability scores of 6.0. The apps are in alphabetical order.
1. Alibaba Mobile Security 5.8
Like all the other top Android anti-malware tools, Alibaba Mobile Security detected all newly discovered malware and all other previously known malware. It checked all the boxes for usability and gave no false warnings. It has a good feature set including anti-theft, call blocking, message filtering, safe browsing, and an app lock. However, it lacks parental control, personal data backup, and encryption.
2. Avast Mobile Security 6.10
Avast Mobile Security 6.10 managed Android malware detection in real-time 100 percent of the time. It found 100 percent of the latest Android malware discovered during the previous four weeks. The app doesn’t negatively affect battery life or cause the device to get sluggish during normal use
3. AVG AntiVirus Free 6.9
AVG AntiVirus Free had a perfect 100 percent detection rate for real-time malware detection and a 100 percent detection rate for recently discovered malware. It gave no false warnings. It has a decent set of features including anti-theft, call blocking, an app lock, wi-fi security, and backup of personal data. However, it lacks a message filter, parental control, and encryption.
4. Avira Antivirus Security 5.2
Avira Antivirus Security scored high on both detection of Android malware in real time (99.7 percent) and detection of Android malware discovered in the last four weeks (99.9 percent). The app does not affect battery life or performance and gave no false warnings. Special features include identity safeguard, app lock, privacy advisor, and safe search. It does not supprt encryption or offer parental controls.
5. Bitdefender Mobile Security Version 3.3
Bitdefender Mobile Security’s Android malware detection in real-time is 100 percent, and it discovered the newest Android threats discovered in the last four weeks 100 percent of the time as well. For usability, the app gets big check marks for not dragging down battery life or device speeds.
6. G Data Internet Security Version 26.2
G Data’s Internet Security has more features than many of its other top-rated competitors. AV-TEST checked the boxes for remote lock, wipe, and locate.
7. Kaspersky Lab Internet Security Version 11.16
Kaspersky Lab’s Android malware scanner caught the latest Android malware in real-time 99.9 percent of the time and the latest threats discovered over the prior month 100 percent of the time.
8. McAfee Mobile Security Version 4.9
McAfee Mobile Security Android malware scanner detected bugs in real-time 99.7 percent of the time, but caught malware discovered in the last four weeks 99.9 percent of the time.
9. PSafe DFNDR 5.8
PSafe DFNDR did a flawless job of Android malware detection for threats discovered in the previous four weeks. For the latest threats discovered in real time, it also detected at a100 percent rate. DFNDR also earned high marks for not impacting battery life, slowing the device during normal use, or generating too much traffic on the device.
10. Symantec Norton Mobile Security 4.1
Symantec Norton Mobile Security caught 100 percent of all Android malware, including those discovered recently, with no false warnings.
11. Tencent WeSecure 1.4
With Tencent’s WeSecure, you won’t get anti-theft features (remote lock, wipe, and locate). AV-TEST didn’t list any additional noteworthy features that weren’t tested, but you’ll get call blocking, safe browsing/anti-phishing protection, and the ability to backup personal data to SD cards or the cloud.
12. Trend Micro Mobile Security and Antivirus 9.3
Trend Micro’s Mobile Security and Antivirus checks most of the feature boxes: anti-theft, call blocking, text message filtering, safe browsing and anti-phishing protection, and parental control