Android users who randomly install every app from third party vendors have a misconception of Smartphones being impregnable to viruses. But the truth is, popularity of Android paved way to security threats, including spread of common malwares to phishing viruses that steal IDs and passwords from the device. Many security software companies are already selling antivirus apps at a price. However, as it goes with Android apps, anything that comes at a cost is often forgotten!
But there are also a bunch of free security apps available, which perfectly seals the loopholes in your Smartphone with security suites and anti-theft capabilities. Here is a list of five free and best ones.
Sophos Security and Antivirus
This is the first mobile security application from SophosLabs, which comes with the most minimalistic home screen.
The screen has only four parts: Scanner, Loss & Theft, Security Advisor and the Privacy Advisor. Like the other security apps, it also has the features like scan Apps, scan SD card, USB drive and also a “Cloud Scan Mode,” which will update all the information from Sopho’s cloud infrastructure on the malicious Android apps.
The privacy advisor has an interesting feature. It lists all apps under three categories namely Apps that may cause costs, Apps that may harm your privacy and Apps that may access the internet. You can set them accordingly.
Once installed, the app work in a silent mode, which means you cannot enable or disable it with a button. However, it uses less resources; i.e the Ram usage is very low.
Adding to it, the app offers all anti-theft tools for free.
Avast! Mobile Security
Avast, who carries a long tradition of protecting the desktops and laptops from virus has extended its services into the mobile platform with this free app. The icon which appears on the notification tray after installation can be pressed to activate and deactivate the real time protection.
The privacy adviser of the app will check and list every harmful privacy issues that pops up while installing a new app. The “Shield Control” feature of the app protects you from infected links, SMSs.
The Firewall feature of this app is a boon to the user. On activation, it disables all the internet connections via wi-fi, 3G or 2G, thereby helping you from additional charges and preventing apps from automatically updating itself while roaming.
The anti-theft function of this software has a stealth mode, which will hide the anti-theft feature from an intruder’s eye and has a set of SMS codes to trigger alarm, data-wiping, remote locking and so on.
Lookout Mobile Security
Lookout Mobile Security is one of the first security apps that came into the Android platform. Once the installation is over, the app will automatically scan your device for malicious files and malware. It also makes sure the apps you are trying to update doesn’t contain any virus.
The app also has options to backup your contacts to Lookout account and share it on multiple devices if you have. It also has options to locate the phone even if GPS is turned off, in case of losing the device. However, it doesn’t support other options like use of SMS to locate the device.
The app has a beautiful interface and it won’t drain off the device’s RAM when in use. The usual memory usage is found to be 14 to 15 MB. Even though the utilities like remote lock, data wipe and privacy adviser works only with the paid versions, it has a trial period of 15 days.
Comodo Mobile SecurityThis is another free application that has best in class anti-malware engine along with utilities to protect your data, privacy and device.
The app will allow you to check the health of your device after you set it up. Once the scanning is done, the results will be displayed under three categories namely dangerous, pending and secure and will instruct you about the proceedings.
It has an amazing process manager that can kill the unwanted tasks, and also has traffic monitoring and call and SMS blocking options. The App protector helps you to lock the apps for your privacy and finally there is an anti theft feature which will send the location of your phone to another defined number, triggers an alarm, block the phone remotely an also wipe the data. It will also accept an SMS command that will activate the front camera and send the picture of the man who possesses the device to your email.
TrustGo Antivirus & Mobile SecurityThis is a free and simple app that protects your Smartphone with anti-theft tools and top- notch malware protection along with an interesting app certification system, giving you information about apps before you download them.
It removes the viruses, malware, spyware, Trojans and any vulnerable application that can steal data from your device.
The interesting device protection and data backup features in this app allows you to Lock the phone, set off an alarm, or securely wipe data and personal information remotely, in case you lose the device. It even takes a snapshot of the suspect and sends it to your email.
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