AV‑TEST is a highly respected German antivirus laboratory whose specialists search for and analyze malicious software. They are also testing existing detection and protection tools for different platforms, including Android.
The Android antivirus rating includes three key parameters:
- Protection is the ability to effectively detect threats.
- Performance - the effect of the antivirus on the speed of the smartphone.
- Usability - influence on the ease of use of a mobile device.
Lifehacker selected 10 antiviruses that received The best antivirus software for Android the highest rating for these parameters.
In terms of performance, they are all equal. Antiviruses do not have a negative impact on battery life, traffic consumption and the speed of the mobile device. There are no false positives when using safe applications from Google Play and third-party sources.
Antiviruses differ only in their ability to detect threats and additional functions.
Please note: when testing, the AV‑TEST laboratory uses the default settings in the application. When choosing an antivirus, the user receives the level of protection and usability corresponding to the rating immediately after installation, that is, without studying the parameters or changing them in any way.
Avast Mobile Security
The antivirus detects 100% of threats in real time.
Additional functions
- Anti-theft: remote blocking, cleaning and searching for a mobile device.
- Blacklist and blocking of incoming calls from unknown numbers.
- Protection from dangerous sites and phishing.
- Firewall.
- Checking the security of the Wi‑Fi network.
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Avast antivirus & free protection 2020
Developer: Avast Software
Price: Free
Let's use the computer
This is a similar method, with the exception that a special program will install the antivirus on the phone. It's called Install APK. To find out how to install antivirus on your tablet, use the following instructions:
- Download the apk installation file to your computer.
- Connect your gadget via USB. Make sure the PC has detected it.
- Double click on the apk file. The program will automatically start installation on your phone.
- Wait until it finishes, and then turn off your mobile device.
This is a simple and fast method that is suitable if you cannot access Google Play or the Internet from your phone. Also, this method does not require transferring the installation file directly to the phone or SD card. We recommend downloading antivirus software only from well-known companies, as software from an unknown developer can damage your smartphone or steal important information.
AVG AntiVirus Free
The antivirus detects 100% of threats in real time.
Additional functions
- Anti-theft: remote blocking, cleaning and searching for a mobile device.
- Blacklist and blocking of incoming calls from unknown numbers.
- Protection from dangerous sites and phishing.
- Checking the security of the Wi‑Fi network.
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AVG Antivirus free 2020 – Protection for Android
Developer: AVG Mobile
Price: Free
Types of antiviruses
Almost all popular manufacturers of antivirus applications have not missed the point and have created special mobile versions of their products. Along with paid versions, there are also free products. The following are the most well-known antiviruses:
Kaspersky Mobile Security (Kaspersky antivirus). A product worth checking out is compatible with many mobile devices. The program is equipped with an “Anti-theft” option, which helps in case of device theft. The option erases your personal information. Kaspersky Mobile Security does not take up much space in your memory. The free version works with some limitations. For example, there will be no function for blocking calls. |
DrWeb (Doctor Web). This is a competitor of Kaspersky. The functionality is very similar to antivirus number one. |
Avast . Also a good option for a phone or tablet, and it’s free. |
AVG Mobilization . Quite a decent antivirus, plus it’s free. |
ESET Mobile Security . This is a paid product, with a 30-day trial. |
All of the above products can be called shareware (except 4 and 5) with limited capabilities. If you want to use a free product, decide on one of the listed programs and install it on your smartphone. After the trial period ends, uninstall the program and install it again.
A properly selected antivirus for a tablet can be compared to armor that will protect the gadget. This is one of the main programs that must be installed on the device. Alas, viruses are regularly updated and improved, so a reasonable question arises: which antivirus is best for? It is difficult to definitively answer this question, because each antivirus program has its own characteristics, positive and negative qualities.
Norton Mobile Security
The antivirus detects 100% of threats in real time.
Additional functions
- Anti-theft: remote blocking, cleaning and searching for a mobile device.
- Blacklist and blocking of incoming calls from unknown numbers.
- Protection from dangerous sites and phishing.
- A security advisor that tells you which apps are behaving suspiciously or consuming too many resources.
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Norton Mobile Security and antivirus program
Developer: NortonMobile
Price: Free
Best lists
Let's look at a few more categories and the winning antiviruses in them.
- Free.
- 100% data protection.
- Lots of features.
Free
CM Security Master - the antivirus has proven itself excellent in tests of battery consumption and system load, does not consume a lot of traffic and does not falsely disturb. It also supports remote blocking, data erasing and device location determination. The utility is equipped with other functions - a blacklist of unwanted numbers, protection from Internet scammers and malicious websites, data deletion, system acceleration and Wi-Fi protection.
100% data protection
Norton Security & Antivirus is a utility that has proven itself over the years. A true defender will not miss more than one virus, because during testing it showed 100% protection of the device. Has many features in free mode. The antivirus does not load the system and consumes almost no battery.
Lots of features
ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus has amazing functionality even in the free version. You can use real-time protection, device scanning, malware protection, SD card scanning, quarantine, and the device itself updates the virus database, which significantly protects the device and a bunch of other functions. You can purchase a paid version and unlock all the capabilities of the device.
Kaspersky Internet Security
The antivirus detects 99.9% of threats in real time.
Additional functions
- Anti-theft: remote blocking, cleaning and searching for a mobile device.
- Blacklist and blocking of incoming calls from unknown numbers.
- Protection from dangerous sites and phishing.
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Kaspersky Internet Security: Antivirus and Protection
Developer: Kaspersky Lab Switzerland
Price: Free
The best antiviruses for Android
1. Dr.Web – two versions of the Doctor Web antivirus with wide functionality and capabilities in Russian, which will provide comprehensive protection for your mobile device against all types of threats.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Quick or full scan of the entire file system.
- Firewall - traffic monitoring, with online checking of downloaded files.
- Antispam - protects you from unwanted calls or SMS.
- Anti-theft - will help you find your gadget if it is lost or stolen and, if necessary, remotely delete personal information.
- Unlocking an infected phone, even if the phone is completely locked.
2. CM Security - antivirus, application blocking, phone acceleration and garbage cleaning in one program. CM Security is one of the best antiviruses for Android in the Google Play Market.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Works on phones or tablets.
- Clean up junk and speed up your device.
- Multi-level protection: eliminates vulnerabilities in the system and scans installed software.
- The app lock feature is a photo attacker that takes a photo of anyone who enters the wrong password twice.
- Blocking confidential files.
- Phone search (anti-theft).
- Blocks unwanted or fraudulent calls.
3. Avast - a product of Avast Software, scans the system and protects against all types of infected files, phishing, malware, spyware and viruses such as Trojans.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Automatic scanning for viruses and malware.
- Blocks personal programs using a PIN code.
- Scans and blocks malicious links on the Internet.
- Blocking spam calls.
4. AVG AntiVirus – high-quality free protection for Android devices in real time. AVG AntiVirus FREE – protects you from viruses, malware, spyware, and unwanted messages and helps you keep your personal data safe.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Protection against viruses, theft and spam.
- Energy saving.
- Russian language support.
5. 360 Security – Antivirus + Accelerator + Cleaning. One of the best applications for removing file junk, protecting against viruses and saving battery power. 360 Security improves the performance of your phone and also eliminates the problems of slowdown and freezing.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Without registering.
- Cleaning residual files.
- Possibility of device acceleration.
- Helps conserve battery power.
6. Mobile Security & Antivirus s – another good antivirus for Android tablets and smartphones, with wide capabilities.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Automatic scanning or on demand.
- Placement in quarantine.
- Anti-theft module.
- Manage calls and SMS.
- Without registering.
7. Kaspersky Internet Security is a free antivirus program for Android from the famous Kaspersky Lab. Kaspersky is a reliable, free security solution for mobile devices. Protects your smartphone or tablet, as well as personal and confidential data stored on it, from any mobile threats, including viruses, spyware and Trojans.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Possibility of control via Android Wear.
- Blocking dangerous sites.
- Blocking unwanted calls or SMS.
- Anti-Theft function (search for device in case of loss or theft).
8. Clean Master – cleaning master + antivirus. The application does not require registration and will help speed up and protect your phone from viruses online for free.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Removes cache with residual files.
- Automatic game acceleration up to 30%.
- Extends phone life by optimizing running programs.
- Detects games that cause your Android to overheat.
- Allows you to set passwords for SMS, photos, contacts and other sections that need to be hidden from prying eyes.
- Online protection and scanning.
- Removal with creation of backup copies.
- Disables unnecessary applications for even faster operation of your gadget.
9. Antivirus Free is a fast and professional application that will provide effective double protection for your device.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Protects in real time.
- Scanning Cloud.
- Start scanning with one click.
- Small size.
- Low power consumption.
10. GO Security – another program in Russian for online protection, with a fast anti-virus engine inside. GO Security has a built-in AppLock function, with which you can easily password-lock (hide) any applications from strangers.
Main functions and characteristics:
- Online scanning.
- Clearing cache.
- Cleaning up garbage.
- AppLock.
What antivirus for Android do you use? Share your opinion by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page, perhaps your message will be useful and will help other users make their choice.
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Avira Antivirus Security
The antivirus detects 99.8% of threats in real time.
Additional functions
- Anti-theft: remote blocking, cleaning and searching for a mobile device.
- Blacklist and blocking of incoming calls from unknown numbers.
- Protection from dangerous sites and phishing.
- Protection against leakage of data about your contacts to third parties.
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Avira Security 2020 - antivirus and VPN
Developer: AVIRA
Price: Free
What antivirus do you use? Share in the comments.
Fifth place: Avast Antivirus
This application will provide basic protection for your gadget. By installing Avast, you can forget about spyware, Trojans and other malicious applications for a long time. It not only scans downloaded files: the antivirus in real time checks the sites being viewed for the presence of dangerous scripts.
With Avast, you can set a password for viewing photos and videos. The program will tell you whether the Wi-Fi connection is secure and how to protect data transmitted wirelessly. And the ability to change Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, screen and mobile data settings helps reduce energy consumption. The application also combines the functions of clearing cache and removing duplicate images.