Hackers are targeting smartphones and tablets to steal information useful source or harm them. Antivirus software shields devices from malware and corrupted applications. A majority of top antivirus software offers additional features that help keep your tablet or phone secure. Some of these features include the ability to manage passwords as well as a virtual personal network (VPN), and even an app lock which requires a password to access the application. Certain devices come with mechanisms that allow you to locate your device in the event it gets stolen or lost.
Some apps are completely free, while others offer an upgrade option that includes features such as a VPN or an identity theft protection service. These premium apps typically cost between $15 and $30 per year, and some also have an annual subscription which gives users unlimited access to their services.
Norton Mobile Security is the most popular antivirus app for android. It has received the top scores in independent tests and comes with a variety of security features, including an anti-theft feature as well as a superior malware detection capabilities, and a low resource drain. It can also detect ransomware, as well as other malware threats, and wipe or encrypt files. An important feature is Camera Trap snaps a picture of anyone who is trying to get into your phone.
Another top-rated choice is Kaspersky that has almost perfect malware detection rates and a low impact on performance. It has a wide range of other security options including call filtering and Wear OS support. A Wi-Fi network scan is available to block devices from connecting to unsecure networks. It’s not as comprehensive like the other apps in this roundup, but there are no ads in the free version and very little nagging to upgrade to its premium offering.