As smartphones have become an Important part of our lives, people no longer use them just for communication. Instead, they store most of their sensitive information on their phones.
But, in the era of data leaks and constant threats to your privacy, is it safe to store your private data on your phone? Well, not unless you safeguard it with some robust mobile security apps.
Here is a list of the best antivirus for Android smartphones in 2021 available on the Google Play Store.
1. Avira Antivirus Security
Avira’s Antivirus Security app for Android does what all antivirus apps should do: Automatically scans apps for malware, checks for threats in external storage devices, shows which apps have access to your private information, and is extremely easy to use.
Avira can scan each time you disconnect from a computer as well as start scheduled scans once a day, every day. If that isn’t enough for you, you can always start a manual scan whenever you want to check for malware like adware, riskware, ransomware, and potentially unwanted programs.
When threats are found, you’ll be alerted of the threat type (riskware, PUP, etc.) and will have the option to ignore them or delete them on the spot.
Here are some other things the Avira Antivirus Security app is capable of: updated apps are re-scanned when they’re finished updating to ensure that any new files aren’t infected; you define whether files and/or apps are scanned; show notifications when threats are found—handy so that you aren’t bombarded with messages each time it finds the device clean; an anti-theft tool lets you find your device remotely or lock or wipe it; apps with privileged access to your information are categorized by risk level; an Activity section shows a history of what Avira has been doing and what it finds; Overcharging Protection can remind you to unplug the device when it’s fully charged, and the Identity Safeguard function checks company breaches to see if your email was included in any of them.
This free version is very much like the professional edition you can buy except that the pro version doesn’t contain ads, will update its definitions every hour, includes an app locker, and supports the secure browsing feature that helps your device stay clean when browsing the web, downloading files, and shopping online.
2. Norton Security and Antivirus
This is one of the best and oldest antivirus software for the PC, but Norton Antivirus doesn’t fail to impress the Android platform as well. The simplified main screen and easily accessible features make this app a great option. The app can scan and remove apps that have a virus or malicious code in them.
Features:
Android antivirus scan
Wi-Fi scanning
Safe search
Call blocking
Lost or stolen phone protection
Just one tap and the app will be able to find any malware, viruses, and spyware or security threat on your device. One of the best things about this app is the antitheft measures it has in place. You will be able to lock your lost or stolen smartphone remotely via SMS. The app also allows you to lock your phone instantly if the SIM card is removed
3. Avast Antivirus
Avast protects a lot of users worldwide on multiple platforms, and right now, it’s one of the top-rated Android malware scanners, according to AV-Test. With a single tap, the Android antivirus scans for any dangerous or infected apps and trojans and provides complete protection against spyware and viruses.
It has some in-app purchases with which you can remove ads and access the app locking facility, along with some other advanced features like SIM security, camera trap, etc.
However, the free version of Avast for Android integrates some incredible features to provide all-around protection against viruses and other threats that can affect your smartphone. With all these fantastic features, Avast Mobile security is a worthy contender for the best free antivirus for Android in 2020.
Special Features of Avast Antivirus
App insights to view the time you are spending on each app
Junk Cleaner for wiping cache and residual files
Photo vault to secure photographs against unwanted access
Web shield for safe web browsing
.
4. Bitdefender
Bitdefender is could base Antivirus for the Android operating system. This antivirus app provides an on-demand install and scan facility. It helps you to keep the phone safe from various threats. The program takes care of online privacy as well as personal information.
Feature:
You can use it for tablets and smartphones.
It enables you to remotely locate the Android device in case of theft or loss.
This app can verify whether your mail account has been breached or not.
Minimal impact on device battery life.
It can react instantly to threats without compromising the performance of the mobile.
Provides 24/7 security updates.
You can easily manage your browser on an Android phone.
Offers VPN to secure online activities.
5. AVG AntiVirus Free
The AVG AntiVirus app for Android was the very first antivirus app on Google Play that reached 100 million downloads. It protects you from spyware, unsafe apps and settings, viruses, and other malware and threats.
AVG supports scheduled scans, protects against malicious apps, can scan the files stored on the internal storage device, warns you about apps that other AVG users have reported as a threat, and can treat potentially unwanted programs as malware.
Also, AVG AntiVirus Free protects you while browsing the internet in Chrome, too.
Much like some of the other Android AV apps in this list, AVG doesn’t include just a virus scanner: if you have root access you can also enable the AVG firewall; an internal photo vault can hide select images within the app, protected behind a custom passcode; it can clean some junk files and caches that you don’t need anymore to free up disk space; an internet speed test is built-in; security threats can be found by scanning the network you’re connected to; improve the performance of your device by shutting down things that are running in memory; get a warning when you reach 10% or 30% battery life; find the permissions all your apps have; view and monitor data usage to avoid overage charges; virus definitions can be configured to only download when you’re connected over Wi-Fi; free users can remotely lock their device through a web browser that communicates with the app—also supported are SMS commands that are used to trigger a call from your device, a data wipe, a siren or lock request, and more.
The biggest downfall with this Android antivirus tool from AVG is that it’s littered with advertisements; they’re on almost every single screen. Plus, you’re always just one tap away from upgrading to the pro version from every area of the app, which is frustrating if you accidentally tap it.
It’s also annoying when AVG finds risks that aren’t actually malicious. However, if you do like to have those kinds of alerts, even if no files or apps are found to be harmful, then you won’t have a problem with that.
For example, after a scan, you might be told that the “unknown sources” option is disabled on your phone that would normally tell you when you’ve installed an unofficial app that could contain threats.
While that feature should probably always be enabled, disabling it doesn’t necessarily mean you are currently under attack or have infected files.
App backup, camera trap, device lock, VPN protection, app lock, and no ads, are are a few of the unsupported features in the free edition. There are also various links to features that you can only get in other apps, so you might find yourself leaving AVG for the Play Store when you try tapping those options.
6. CCleaner
This isn’t an antivirus app for Android, but if you’re already using a great antivirus app for Android, you can install this cleaner app on your device as well. CCleaner deletes all the residual data left behind by uninstalled apps. I’ve been using CCleaner on my device for a long time and I can attest to its capabilities.
CCleaner gives you more room and storage space for newer apps. By doing this, it also boosts your phone’s performance. If you install plenty of apps on your device, CCleaner makes everything easier by optimizing your phone’s storage.
7. McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee Mobile Security is a tool that helps you to protect your tablet or phone from mobile phishing and malware. It also allows you to capture malicious programs before they reach your computer.
Feature:
Prevent various types of viruses, malware, and ransomware from infecting your computer and mobile devices.
It helps you to secure your firewall and block hackers from accessing your home network.
Enables you to store and manage all your online passwords in a single location.
Keep sensitive files private by storing them on your system with 256-bit encryption.
8. Norton 360
One of the best free antivirus for Android in 2020, Norton 360 offers impressive Android security features. The app mostly provides a 100% detection rate and removes malware, spyware, or Android viruses that can slow down your device. It can trigger an alarm to find your missing device, remotely lock your device to prevent data theft, or block unwanted calls or SMS.
It has separate apps such as an app locker and a password manager that are available for free in the Play Store. Another Norton 360 feature is that it looks out for any personal information spills on the dark web.
Advanced premium features are available for a trial period of 30 days. Overall, Norton 360 is no doubt one of the most reliable apps when considering the best antivirus for Android smartphones in 2020.
Special Features of Norton Mobile Security
Wi-Fi scanning to notify you about unsecured connections
Safe Search for flagging unsafe websites while browsing
Call blocking for muting spam and unwanted calls
Sneak Peek to click photographs of someone accessing your device without authority