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Are computer threats exclusive to computers with Windows?This statement could be true before 2010, but with the evolution of smartphones and the increasingly widespread diffusion of mobile devices with Android operating system, malware have appeared specifically to infect the phones and be able to steal personal data, spying the chronology, intercept calls and block the operation of some apps or some menus.
For these reasons it is no longer advisable to use Android without a good antimalware scan system, so as to have effective tools to be able to block the computer threats on the phones used every day and exposed to the dangers of the network (perhaps even more than computers!).In the following chapters you can find a complete guide on free and paid Android antivirus installed on any device equipped with the operating system with the green robot, so as to increase the level of safety when you need to use these devices.
Why install an antivirus on Android
More and more viruses on the Internet are designed to infect the Android operating system, even more if it is no longer updated by the manufacturer (which is very likely if at least two years have passed since the market).An operating system not updated shows the side of Exploit and bugs exploitable by the criminals to be able to take control of the device and delete files, install espionage systems, dry up the credit of the SIM and steal personal information such as credit cards, account numbers and passwordsbright to the sites.
To prevent the viruses developed for Android from attacking and making damage, a good antivirus with scan residing in memory can be pointed, so as to block the apps that hide the malware and stop any suspicious behavior before it is too late to intervene.
The best antivirus for Android 2021 smartphones
In the chapters present here you can find the best antivirus for Android, available both in free and paid version.For those who do not want to spend anything, they can focus without delay on very powerful free antivirus (adaptations of commercial antivirus on PC), but for those looking for an even higher level of security they can sign a subscription and obtain new safety functions, so as to be360 degrees protected from any type of threat.
ESET
Tra i migliori antivirus per Android che è possibile provare spicca ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus, disponibile al download gratuito per tutti i dispositivi con sistema operativo Android 4.1 or subsequent versions.By installing this antivirus on the phone it is possible to benefit from the cutting-edge antimalware scan module, an anti-herphishing module, an anti theft form, an innovative app block system, a payments protection system and a connections control center.
The premium features of the app are free of charge for 30 days, after which it is necessary to pay an in-app subscription to continue;However, we can always keep the free version of the app, which provides an antivirus scanner on request (no resident control).
Kaspersky
Another very effective antivirus that can be used on Android systems is Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus, available for free download for all devices with Android 4 operating system.4 or subsequent versions.By installing this antivirus it is possible to exploit the powerful Kaspersky scan engine, capable of effectively blocking malware and spyware;As an additional modules it is also possible to benefit from the advanced anti -theft system, an intruder monitoring system (which takes a photo with the front camera), a loving websites lock system, a form to block access to the apps (App Lock), an advanced anti-phishing system and a form to block unwanted calls.
Most of the functions of this app are offered free of charge: in fact, a premium account is required only to be able to take advantage of the Lock App, the anti-herphishing and the web filter.
Avira
Among the security suites available for Android you can also try Avira Security, available for free download for all devices with Android 6 operating system.0 or subsequent versions.The Avira scan engine is among the fastest in the category and is able to block the attacks by malware, spyware and phishing, as well as effectively removing any adware on the phone.Among the additional modules it is also possible to find a free VPN, an appropriate system, identity protection system and anti -theft system with phone location.
Many of the features offered by this antivirus are free and are more than enough to ensure safety on Android;For those looking for all functions, it is necessary to sign an in-app subscription.
Bitdefender
The lightest and most powerful antivirus available for Android devices is without a shadow of a doubt Bitdefender Antivirus Free, available for free download for all devices with Android 5 operating system.0 or subsequent versions.This antivirus uses cloud technology to scan in real time the memory of the device, offering a valid tool to intercept all the suspicious malware and apk downloaded from the web.
Per chi vuole un livello di protezione superiore è possibile scaricare Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus, che integra ulteriori moduli di sicurezza e permette di ottenere anche una VPN, un modulo di protezione web, un modulo d'euristica Autopilot, un sistema di blocco delle app e un sistema antifurto.
McAfee
Another effective antivirus installed on Android devices is McAfee Mobile Security, available for free download for all devices with Android 4 operating system.2 or subsequent versions.With this app it is possible to obtain an effective scan module against all the most varied computer threats designed for the safety of the device, including a Wi-Fi scan module, an unlimited VPN, an App Lock system, a systemanti -theft and a module for immediate cleaning from unnecessary files.
Most of the app modules are accessible for free;Some advanced features can be unlocked by signing an in-app subscription.
Avast
Among the famous antivirus on Windows and also available on Android you can try Avast Antivirus, available for free download for all devices with Android operating system 5.0 or subsequent versions.This antivirus shows itself with a really simple and intuitive interface, with on we can launch the protection in real time or start a scan of the apps and files kept in the internal memory of the device.As additional security features you can find an app lock system, anti-theft system, photo safe, web protection, Wi-Fi, connection speed test, system cleaning and RAM strengthening.
Practically all the functions of the app are available for free;For those looking for an additional level of protection, they can sign a premium subscription to obtain photos of those who use the phone (unauthorized), a tracking system of the last known position and direct support of Avast.
Norton
Another very famous antivirus available on Android is Norton 360, available for free download for all devices with Android 6 operating system.0 or subsequent versions.The proactive protection system stands out on this antivirus, capable of intercepting all active Android malware, block infected APK, check the wi-fi networks and scan the apps even before downloading them to the device.As additional security systems it is possible to benefit from a control of the stolen personal information (so as to know if our data is on sale on the Dark Web) and a rating system for all the sites visited with browsers.
Norton antivirus is available only for a fee, but it is still possible to benefit from a free 14 -day trial period.
Sophos
One of the most complete and effective antivirus offered for free is Sophos Intercept X for Mobile, available for free download for all devices with Android 5 operating system.0 or subsequent versions.By installing this corporate antivirus on the phone it is possible to obtain powerful antimalware protection, a web filtering module, a links control system (link checker), an app protection system, privacy advisor system, codes safe scan systemQR, Password Manager, authenticator and control of authorizations.
Currently all the features included in the Ontivirus Sophos are offered for free, without having to pay any type of subscription.
Trend micro
Altra suite di sicurezza completa che è possibile provare su Android è Trend micro Mobile Security & Antivirus, disponibile al download gratuito per tutti i dispositivi con sistema operativo Android 4.1 or subsequent versions.This light antivirus allows you to immediately block any infection, blocking dangerous downloads and APKs that contain hidden threats.As additional security systems you can find a link scan module from social networks or messaging apps, wi-fi connection control, browse scan, anti-theft system, module to increase device performance and an effective parental control system(ideal for minors surfing the web).
Some of the features present in the antivirus app are provided free of charge;To obtain complete protection you need to sign an in-app subscription.
How to choose an antivirus app on Android
Before choosing the Android antivirus to be installed on the device, it is advisable to check that the chosen antivirus app has the following characteristics, so as to always obtain an excellent level of protection:
These are the fundamental modules for a good antivirus;Almost all those offered for free offer them, but if it is necessary to have an additional level of protection it is always possible to focus on paid Android antivirus, often included in the complete protection suite (where it is possible to find both the antivirus for Windows and the'Antivirus for Android).
Safety on Smartphone: General Tips
In addition to having a good antivirus it is possible to increase the safety of the portable device following simple advice:
Frequent questions about antivirus for Android
If we have not yet chosen a good antivirus for Android it is possible to take off the last doubts by reading the answers to the frequent questions that the owners of Android smartphones ask themselves on the subject, so that you can choose whether to increase the safety of the device or leave everything as it is.
What functionality generally include protection apps on Android?
The protection apps for Android include the protection modules from malware and the systems for updating signatures and the aforementioned modules (as seen in a previous chapter of the guide) but can also include password managers, cleaning systems of unnecessary files ecache, anti -theft systems to trace the lost phone and parental control systems for minors.
These additions can be very useful for increasing safety on an Android smartphone and preventing a hacker from getting in possession of personal information, as well as offering effective anti -theft or parental control systems.
Is a free antivirus on Android enough?
Most of the additional functions seen in the previous demand are present in the paid versions of the Android antivirus, but for a basic level of protection (against all viruses capable of hitting the mobile operating system) it is also possible to use a free antivirus.
The combination of a free third -party antivirus and the antivirus provided by Google in the Play Store will protect from all types of threats without having to spend a euro.
Are apps well on any Android smartphone model?
In order to be used on a large number of devices, all Android antivirus appropriate manufacturers provide support to very old versions of Android (we often start from Android 4.1, one of the oldest versions still in use), given that the old devices need superior protection by not receiving any type of update anymore.
This does not mean that with Android 10 or later it is not necessary to use an antivirus: the new versions of Android are enormously safer, but not totally immune to threats from the web or from the APK files.
Are the security apps slow down the smartphone?
This is probably the most frequent question from Android users and the answer is "yes": the addition of an always active app in memory (complete with permanent notification) will slow down the device, even if the impact of the appsecurity also depends on the hardware available in the smartphone to be protected.
If the smartphone to be protected is recent and has at least 4GB of RAM accompanied by an octa-core processor, the impact on system performance is practically imperceptible;If, on the other hand, you are using a smartphone with 4 years or more on your shoulders, it is advisable to choose a light antivirus or rely exclusively on the protection provided by the Google Play Store, avoiding any possible danger.
Summary and conclusions
Although Android is a Linux -based system (notoriously famous for being resistant to malware), its great diffusion to the public led to the interest of IT pirates and the attackers, who have made specific viruses for Android even very dangerous:They range from viruses capable of stealing money from the sim passing through the ransomware, able to block the phone screen and encrypt the photos and personal images.
To protect us from these threats it is possible to resort to very powerful and effective antivirus for Android: many of the recommended products are offered for free, but the best antivirus also offer floors or additional subscriptions to unlock new features and obtain a higher level of protection, LIdeal for phones often used in hotspots or for phones used in the business field.