How To: Android's Built-In Scanner Only Catches 15% of Malicious AppsProtect Yourself with One of These Better Alternatives
Most of us have some sort of malware scanner or antivirus program on our computers, but what about our smartphones? A lot of people don't realize that computers aren't the only devices that are susceptible to malicious software and apps—they can follow you on your smartphone or tablet, too.Google finally added a built-in scanner called the "application verification service" to its Play Store and Android operating system in November. The only problem is that a report published by computer science professor Xuxian Jiang found that the scanner only detects a little over 15% of malicious apps. Image via androidentity.com Earlier this year, AV-TEST evaluated 41 different malware scanners for Android, and the good news is that there are several third-party apps that are much better than Android's native one at detecting malicious software. Here are some of the best free and paid alternatives.
Avast! Mobile SecurityAs far as free apps go, Avast! Mobile Security is one of the best. Please enable JavaScript to watch this video.
It scans your phone for viruses, lets you know what apps are doing with your information, and even has a hidden anti-theft component to help get your phone back if it's lost or stolen. Images via ggpht.com You can schedule automatic scans and even monitor your incoming and outgoing data transfers. The Web Shield scans every URL you visit to make sure it's not infected, and can even filter out calls and text messages from contacts that you specify.With all these features and an almost 5 star rating, if you're looking to protect your phone without shelling out any cash, Avast! is the way to go.Download Avast! Mobile Security from Google Play
BitdefenderAnother great free option is Bitdefender's Mobile Security & Antivirus. You get a malware scanner, application audit, and remote geolocation for free, plus a 14-day trial of the paid features, which include web security and anti-theft. Images via ggpht.com The scanner works in the cloud so it doesn't slow down your phone and can be updated anytime. After the trial is up, you can continue using just the basic features or upgrade for $9.95 a year to have access to the anti-theft and web security features.Download Bitdefender's Mobile Security & Antivirus from Google Play
ZonerAnother one of the free apps that made the top of AV-TEST's list is Zoner. It has a virus scanner, theft protection with remote control, and call filtering like the two we've already covered, plus the added benefit of encrypted messaging. Images via ggpht.com It lets you know when you get a call or text from a suspicious number, and for those who have kids, the app also includes a parental lock so you can block outgoing calls. For tablet users, there's a separate version available here.Download Zoner from Google Play
LookoutOne of the most popular antivirus apps for Android is Lookout. The free version includes a scanner, find my phone feature, and a backup and restore function for your contacts. Images via ggpht.com After a two week trial, you can either keep the free version, or upgrade for $2.99/month to get more advanced features like remote wipe, photo and call history backup, and a privacy adviser to help you keep track of what apps are doing with your data.Download Lookout from Google Play
Dr. WebThis next app does things a little differently. Dr. Web uses its own algorithm which "allows detecting the new virus families using the knowledge database on previous threats. A unique record is created for each malicious program and describes the behavior algorithm of this sample." Images via ggpht.com The light version is just your basic antivirus protection with scheduled or on-demand scanning and two home screen widgets to choose from. If you want the more advanced features (theft protection, anti-spam, and URL checker), you'll have to fork over some cash (around 10 bucks a year) for the paid version after a 14-day trial.Download Dr. Web Antivirus from Google Play
How Does Your Antivirus Measure Up?If you already use an antivirus app, you can check out the full report to see how yours stacks up against the others. You can also try an antivirus test app like EICAR that's designed to be detected as a virus to see if your scanner works as well as it should.
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Use a Third-Party QR Code Scanner in the Meantime. If you find yourself scanning a lot of QR codes and don't want to update to iOS 11.3.1 just yet, you might want to go back to one of your third-party QR code scanners until you're ready to trust Apple again.
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Image via ggpht.com. The app uses the Google account connected to your phone to route your text messages and phone calls to your browser. It also shows you the current battery life left on your phone and works even if you don't have it nearby—as long as it's turned on with data enabled.
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Unlike Google Play Protect, when Norton says "No Malware Detected", it means no malware is on your device. While Google works to improve their detection rate, there a number of apps that reach the industry average, including Norton Mobile Security, which has a 100% detection rate in both real-time and over the course of a month.
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Google finally added a built-in scanner called the "application verification service" to its Play Store and Android operating system in November. The only problem is that a report published by computer science professor Xuxian Jiang found that the scanner only detects a little over 15% of malicious apps.
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