The world most especially Nigerians are now placing premium on Android devices against other devices due to the fact that Android devices are cheap to a level when you compared them to other smartphones and also their standby time (long lasting batteries).
There is need to protect the phones from virus attacks, this neccesitated this post. The list is arranged on order of the antivirus efficiency.
1. 360 Security Antivirus
Advantages:
Scans and deletes threats and keeps an eye out for others with features like privacy adviser.
Has functionality to clean devices from old files
left behind by apps, corrupted files, and other trash that should be gone.
Built in data monitor for those who need that.
Helps users avoid WebView vulnerability by
recommending Google Chrome to people who still use the old browser (Android 4.0-4.3).
First up is 360 Mobile Security. This full featured and free application does pretty much everything you’d expect in an
antivirus Android app. It scans and removes threats, cleans your device, and some additional
stuff like a privacy adviser and data monitor. It’s highly rated with a 4.5 rating in the Play Store.
Disadvantages:
It could use some anti-theft features like some of these other apps.
2. AndroHelm Anti-Virus
Advantages:
Lots of payment options and free is one of them.
Antivirus and anti-malware features include
scanning, real time tracking, and removal.
Anti-theft such as locking the phone and remote
location tracking.
The paid version apparently re-installed itself if it's deleted to protect against thieves. That's a new one. It monitors network.
Disadvantages:
Most expensive license is $100 bucks. We don't
imagine many people will like that. Some paid features like call blocking are provided for free in other apps.
If nothing else can be said about this application, it’s can be said that they re flexible with how much you pay. The free version comes with a lot of features including antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-theft services.
You can pay for a subscription monthly, yearly, or a single lifetime license if you prefer.
3. TrustGo Antivirus & Mobile Security
Advantages:
Includes your standard antivirus and anti-malware scanning features.
Secure web browsing features are included.
Data backup and device location services are also included. Candid Camera Theif ID is pretty much what it sounds like. Take a picture of those theives!
Disadvantages:
You may have problems uninstalling this one
because of the security features. It's doable but
tedious. TrustGo’s Antivirus & Mobile security is
another totally free Android antivirus option that is worth a look.
This one takes a more simplistic approach as it doesn't offer too many extended features like other apps. You get antivirus and anti-malware protection as well as browsing protection and some other security features along with anti-theft and backup features.
4. AVAST Mobile Security
Advantages:
Has more features in the paid version than some
totally free apps on this list. Undercuts its competition in terms of pricing by about 50% per year.
It put the pricing information in the Google Play
Store description. Has features for root users including firewall services.
Disadvantages:
Probably won't work well on older or low spec
devices. The real time protection is a tad overzealous sometimes.
5. AVG AntiVirus Security
Advantages:
The free version comes with the basics like antivirus, anti-phishing, and anti-malware.
With over 100 million installs and a 4.4 rating,
sometimes you can trust the public on what apps
are good.
The paid version comes with a host of unique and advanced features like app backup, app locks, and SIM locking.
Anti-theft features are in both free and paid
versions. The list of features is too long for this pros list.
Disadvantages:
Most secure browsing features are locked to the
stock Android browser that most people don't use. This is not for people who dig simplicity, it is a security suite.
6. Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Advantages:
Very simple. Just install, run the scan, remove the crap, and the app sits and waits for more threats.
Antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-phishing.
Very light so it's great for older devices and that
also means a shorter permissions list.
Disadvantages:
If you need more features and more protection,
look elsewhere. Even though Bitdefender has a full-featured antivirus app, we actually liked
this one better. It’s wildly simple to use.
Here’s how it works. You install it, scan for stuff, remove threats, and then it sits there and waits
for bad stuff to try to come to you. That’s it. No
ridiculous features and no nonsense. It’s also free. If you want to keep the Bitdefender name but move on to paid antivirus support, check out BitDefender Mobile Security .
7. CM Security
Advantages:
Antivirus, anti-malware, and safe browsing features baked in. Anti-theft functionality includes Google Maps integration, picture taking support, and scream mode.
Currently boasts a 100% detection rate. Light on system resources makes it good for older devices.
Disadvantages:
CM Security is a newer Android antivirus
app that’s hit the market and so far It’s wildly popular and very highly rated. The app brings antivirus, anti-malware, and find-my-phone functionality in a totally free package that people seem to really enjoy. It has a lot of features and they’re generally ones you’d have to pay for in other apps.
8. Dr Web Anti-virus
Advantages:
Free version includes antivirus, anti-malware, and device protection including a service that lets you know when something is accessing your device storage.
Paid version includes anti-theft, anti-spam, and
cloud checker services. Smaller virus definition updates for those on limited data plans.
Low system resources required makes it good for older devices.
Disadvantages:
$75 is a big expensive even if it is for a lifetime
license. If you're looking for advanced features, prepare to pay for them.
It’s one of the more expensive options on this list, but Dr Web antivirus doesn't operate on a subscription service so that’s a big plus over the long haul. With the free version you get basic antivirus and anti-malware protection along with basic device protection. It’s definitely worth checking out. If you want anti-spam, anti-theft, and a cloud checker service, you’ll need the full
version.
9. Eset Mobile Security & Antivirus
Advantages:
Boasts a 99.7% detection rate. Auto-scan new files as you download them.
Tablet interface which is something a surprisingly few number of these apps have.
Premium features include call/SMS blocking,
advanced anti-theft features, and even a training
course on mobile security.
Disadvantages:
The free version is extremely basic. You're either
going all in with this one or you'll probably look for something else. KitKat permissions issue prevents SMS blocking from working.
Automatic virus definition updates are premium
only.
Eset is the maker of the popular Nod32 series of antivirus apps on desktop which are both highly rated and very popular.
They have taken the opportunity to make their subscriptions per year only instead of per month and their prices are actually fairly decent. The free version is a little bottlenecked but the premium version is among the best out there.
10. Kaspersky Internet Security
Free version is pretty basic but offers the essential antivirus and security features.
Anti-theft features available in the free version.
Paid version enables cloud protection and anti-
phishing.
Disadvantages:
Real-time protection is a paid feature for some
reason. SMS bug in KitKat prevents the stock messaging app from receiving texts.
Poor performance on older or midrange devices.
You must create a Kaspersky account in order to
even open the app the first time.
Kaspersky has made it to the Android platform and thus onto this list. They’re one of the most popular and trusted antivirus companies out there and that rings true on mobile as well.
Like most it has a scaled down free app with a premium option available as a year's subscription. The free version is pretty good and the premium features are also pretty good.
11. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Advantages:
Much like its PC counterpart, this app is lightweight and focuses only on stopping or removing malware.
Also scans for apps that may be abusing their
permissions, such as location or other personal
information. It's totally free.
Recognizes that Android Device Manager exists as a reason for not having anti-theft. We like smart people who say smart things. The app also
integrates directly into Android Device Manager.
Whitelist approved apps for customized security.
Disadvantages:
There have been a few hiccups here and there that expect will get fixed.
Some of the features may be a tad overzealous
sometimes which may be annoying.
The famous (and free) PC anti-malware tool made its way onto Android back in late 2013. Despite some early hiccups, the general consensus about Malwarebytes is that it’s a positive force in Android security. This app focuses more on removing threats and preventing them.
The developers have also significantly decreased bloat over its competitors. If you need something simple and free, this is a good option.
12. McAfee Free Antivirus & Security
Advantages:
There are a lot of features and most of them are
available for free.
App will literally lock down your phone if thieves attempt to uninstall it. But don't forget your PIN. Anti-theft, antivirus, anti-malware, web surfing protection, call blocking, and app locking available.
Disadvantages:
I'm not entirely sure why there's a paid version.
It's very clunky. If you need something slim then
this is not it.
While the security is top notch, activating all that security is a pain in the rear end.
McAfee is another trusted name in the
antivirus world although we’ve had reports that soon this will be changed to Inter Antivirus & Security so be sure to keep an eye out for that.
They recently revamped their payment
structure to where you get most of the app features for free including antivirus, privacy guarding, anti-theft, and device security for free. We liked that a lot. You can still pay for some extra features if you so choose using their subscription service.
13. Norton Security & Antivirus
Advantages:
Plenty of advanced features like app locking,
privacy guard, anti-theft, and antivirus. Has some other unique features like contact syncing and a central website to manage all devices.
Free version at least lets you scan and remove
threats to your system.
Disadvantages:
Free version is severely limited. You're either
buying this app or you're using something else.
Uninistalling the full version takes some effort and is tedious.
14. Wolfguard Mobile Security Antivirus
Pretty basic feature set but includes antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-phishin protection.
Anti-theft features are included.
Has a couple of unique features like the ability to scan links in text messages for malicious intent. Free, ad supported.
Disdvantages:
Developers haven't updated since September of
2013 which isn't a good sign.
It says there's a Pro version but we couldn't find it anywhere.
Wolfguard Mobile Security Antivirus is the
last fully free antivirus on our list. It features a relatively short list of features but its simplicity is also probably one of its strengths. It’s ad supported which may annoy some but developers have to make money somehow right.
15. Antivirus Wrap-up
Antivirus apps are truly one of the most Controversial genres in all of Android. With all the stock protection, getting malware is all but impossible so many pundits will say that you don’t even need one of these. Even Though that is true, there are people who feel safer with third party protection and don’t mind paying for it.
