Having a virus on your Android device can be annoying and even dangerous. Viruses can slow down your device, display unwanted ads, steal personal information, and even gain complete access to your phone. Thankfully, there are a number of great antivirus apps available for Android that can scan for and remove viruses and other malware.
Quick Answer
Based on expert recommendations and user reviews, the best antivirus app for Android is Bitdefender Mobile Security. Bitdefender provides excellent malware protection, has a user-friendly interface, and offers a range of additional security features beyond just virus scanning.
Why You Should Use an Antivirus App on Android
Here are some key reasons why an antivirus app is recommended for Android:
- Prevent malware infections – Antivirus apps can scan for and detect viruses, spyware, adware, ransomware, and other harmful threats.
- Real-time protection – Leading antivirus apps run in the background and monitor network traffic and app behavior to catch threats.
- Scheduled scans – Most antivirus apps allow you to run manual scans on-demand or set a schedule for automatic virus scans.
- Quarantine infected files – Antivirus apps can isolate infected files to prevent spreading and attempt to clean or delete them.
- Extra features – Many antivirus apps include extras like web protection, anti-theft tools, performance optimization, VPNs, and more.
- Peace of mind – Using a trusted antivirus app provides confidence that your device and personal data are protected.
How Antivirus Apps Work on Android
There are a few key ways that antivirus apps function on Android devices:
- On-access scanning – Files are scanned in real time whenever they are accessed or downloaded.
- Full system scans – The app scans all files and apps on the device on a scheduled or manual basis.
- Heuristics – Apps use heuristics and machine learning to detect malware by analyzing behaviors and code.
- Cloud databases – Apps reference constantly updated cloud databases to check files and apps against known threats.
- External device scanning – Some apps can scan connected devices like SD cards and USB drives.
- Web protection – URLs and downloads are checked against online blacklists of malicious sites/files.
This combination of ongoing scanning, broad scans, advanced detection, and updated threat databases allows antivirus apps to provide strong protection against the latest viruses and malware.
Top 5 Android Antivirus Apps
Based on expert antivirus testing labs like AV-Test and AV-Comparatives along with user reviews, here are 5 of the top antivirus apps for Android:
1. Bitdefender Mobile Security
Bitdefender Mobile Security consistently earns top scores for malware detection from the independent testing labs. It has an intuitive interface and provides ongoing real-time protection. Bitdefender offers automatic virus scanning, web protection, account privacy features, anti-theft tools, a VPN, and more. One of the top options for protecting Android devices.
2. Norton Mobile Security
Developed by the well-known cybersecurity company Symantec, Norton Mobile Security provides excellent broad-based malware protection. It has powerful anti-theft tools like the ability to remotely lock or wipe your device. Norton also offers a call blocking feature, WiFi security scanning, and a password manager.
3. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Kaspersky is another top name in security software and their Android antivirus app doesn’t disappoint. It receives consistently high scores from the testing labs for virus detection. Kaspersky offers many extra features like app locking, web filtering, call blocking, battery optimization, and more. It’s a great premium option.
4. AVG Antivirus FREE
AVG Antivirus FREE provides excellent antivirus scanning capabilities in a stripped-down free package. It actively protects against downloading viruses and malware from the web. The paid Pro version adds features like app locking, device encryption, remote locate/wipe, and photo vault.
5. Malwarebytes Security
Malwarebytes is popular on PCs and their Android antivirus app is equally capable. It actively blocks malware downloads, allows device scans, and has a privacy audit feature. Malwarebytes provides a 14-day free trial for the premium version which includes web protection, app locking, and camera security features.
Key Antivirus App Features
Here are some of the most important and useful features to look for in an Android antivirus app:
- Real-time protection – Scans files on download and monitors app behavior.
- On-demand scans – Allows comprehensive scans on schedule or when desired.
- Quarantine – Isolates infected files to prevent spreading.
- Web filtering – Blocks access to known malicious sites and URLs.
- Anti-theft – Remotely lock, locate, wipe, alarm, and track a lost device.
- Performance optimization – Improves device speed and battery life.
- Extra features – Call blocker, VPN, camera security, locking specific apps, etc.
Focus on antivirus apps that provide robust core malware protection along with useful bonus features that appeal to your needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Android Antivirus App
Here are the key factors to evaluate when picking an Android antivirus app:
Protection Against Malware
The number one criteria is how effectively the antivirus app can detect and remove malware like viruses, spyware, ransomware, trojans, and more. Look at independent lab testing results and user reviews related to malware protection.
Impact on Performance
Antivirus apps can slow down your device if they are resource-intensive. Check reviews to ensure the app you choose doesn’t significantly drain battery life or reduce device speed.
Ease of Use
You want an intuitive antivirus app that makes it easy to scan your device and review results. It shouldn’t be complicated to schedule scans and adjust settings.
Extra Features
Consider the bonus features offered beyond core antivirus scanning. Features like WiFi scanning, privacy audit, app locking, anti-theft tools, and VPN can provide great additional protection and value.
Cost
Paid antivirus apps typically offer greater protection and more features than free ones. But free apps like AVG Antivirus provide good malware detection. Evaluate whether the upgrades of a paid app are worth the cost for you.
Steps for Scanning and Removing Viruses on Android
Here is the general process for scanning your Android device for viruses and removing any threats discovered:
- Install a trusted antivirus app such as Bitdefender or Norton Mobile Security.
- Open the app and check settings. Ensure real-time scanning is enabled.
- Run a manual on-demand scan of your full device. This may take 10-30 minutes.
- Review scan results carefully for any detected threats.
- Allow the antivirus app to quarantine or remove any malicious apps or files.
- Schedule occasional full scans to check for new viruses, such as weekly.
- Pay attention to any alerts from your antivirus app and resolve issues promptly.
Also consider scanning external SD cards and USB drives periodically. Avoid downloading questionable apps from outside the Google Play Store. Only install apps from trusted and verified developers.
Precautions When Downloading New Apps
Exercise caution when downloading new apps to avoid malware infections:
- Only download from the official Google Play store, not other sources.
- Check app ratings and reviews before downloading.
- Verify developer details and history in Google Play.
- Install a limited number of apps at first to evaluate performance.
- Watch for signs of suspicious app behavior like excessive data use.
- Don’t grant unnecessary permissions to new apps.
- Run occasional antivirus scans after installing new apps.
Signs You May Have a Virus on Android
Watch for these signs of a potential virus infection on your Android device:
- Sudden spike in data usage
- Pop up ads appear frequently
- Apps crash or freeze unexpectedly
- Device runs hot even when not in heavy use
- Unexplained charges on phone bill
- Weird text messages sent from your phone
- Sluggish device performance
- Unknown apps installed on your phone
Take immediate action if you observe these or other suspicious behaviors by running an antivirus scan. Also reach out to your mobile carrier for assistance if you see unexplained data usage or charges.
How to Avoid Getting a Virus on Android
Practice these measures to reduce your risk of acquiring a virus on Android:
- Install a trusted antivirus app like Norton or TotalAV and keep it up to date.
- Only download apps from the official Google Play store.
- Avoid sideloading apps from outside sources.
- Don’t enable Android’s “Unknown Sources” setting which allows sideloading.
- Steer clear of suspicious downloads and app install prompts.
- Don’t click questionable links in emails or texts.
- Use caution with public WiFi hotspots which can facilitate infections.
- Keep your Android OS version updated.
Exercising caution with app downloads and installations is the best defense. Research apps before installing and leverage the protection of antivirus software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Android antivirus really necessary?
Yes, Android malware threats are on the rise so using an antivirus app provides an important layer of protection for your device and data. Antivirus software can detect and block many threats that would otherwise affect your phone.
Is there a big difference between paid and free Android antivirus apps?
Paid antivirus apps generally provide more robust protection and additional useful features. However, some free antivirus apps like AVG Antivirus offer strong core virus scanning capabilities in a free package. Evaluate your needs to decide if a paid upgrade is warranted.
What’s the impact of antivirus apps on Android battery life and performance?
Some antivirus apps use more system resources which can drain battery faster. But most of the top options like Bitdefender have minimal impact on battery life or performance. Check reviews for any concerns about an antivirus app slowing down devices.
Should I run regular antivirus scans even if my phone seems fine?
Yes, it’s a smart precaution to run periodic full antivirus scans even if your device seems normal. Threats can sometimes install silently in the background before acting days or weeks later. Regular scans help catch viruses early before extensive damage can occur.
Can I get a virus on my Android by visiting a website?
Yes, your Android device can be infected through malicious websites, though it’s less common than virus transmission via app downloads. Use caution when browsing on Android and avoid suspicious sites. Some antivirus apps offer web protection to block malicious links.
Summary
Installing a trusted antivirus app like Bitdefender or Norton Mobile Security is highly recommended for protecting your Android phone or tablet. Leading antivirus apps combine advanced malware scanning with useful bonus features like anti-theft tools, performance optimization, and web protections. Carefully researching apps before downloading, avoiding unauthorized app stores, and running periodic scans can keep your device virus-free.
