It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.
— Albert Einstein —
Introduction
Today Android users consist of a demographic
that runs in millions and millions. Android phones are more or less considered
safe in comparison to other computer viruses. The more popular Android becomes
the more kinds of malware will try to infiltrate it.
Most people have this misconception that
android viruses don’t exist and hence loiter around web pages without any care
or caution. The truth however is, malware can enter Android systems. And since
they do exist, a reliable antivirus app can ensure safety and inner calm.
A huge number of Android viruses enter
through apps. While Google Play has done a remarkable job in banning these apps
and hence by default a person is not able to download any fishy app. However,
the malware makers have cracked the codes of fooling Google and often it takes
months before faulty apps are identified. By the time these apps are blocked
and removed from the cell phones the damage is already done.
In the past, there have been instances where
some seven virus-laden apps were removed from the United States Play Store but
they soon appeared again under new names and new developer. This shows how
Google Play is not a hundred percent safe and your Android isn’t completely
immune from malware infection. Anyone who is installing apps from Google Play
should have an antivirus app downloaded for watertight security.
Androids don’t get traditional viruses but
they are infected by malware that is used to infiltrate and steal
information. As recent as last year in
2018, an Android malware named Triout had infiltrated thousands of mobiles and
that too via Google Play. The Trojan was capable of saving texts, recording
conversations, knowing one’s location, and taking pictures. It was active from
May to December 2018, until it was found and removed. Many variations of Triout
can still be present in the app world.
The
problem with antivirus apps
One cache with antivirus apps is that of
false positives which deter completely safe contents from downloading. This
means that you may see your antivirus app telling you an app or a website is
contaminated and may refuse to let you access some web portals when they are
actually non-dangerous.
An inconvenient feature of antivirus software
is that it can slow down a device’s performance as its operations take too much
storage and energy. With constant scans in the background and 24 hours running
of antivirus programs, the normal operations of the phone are affected.
Other
safeguards and precautions
In this case, one should look for other
safeguards if keeping an antivirus app is bringing obstacles in your way. Being
careful with permissions, steering clear of poorly rated or not rated the app,
and only picking apps that are verified or come under the “Editor’s Choice” option,
are some precautions that people should take.
We often access unsafe sites in a bid to watch unreleased movies and
listen to exclusive music that isn’t available for free.
Phishing is a potential danger that most
Android users fall for. In phishing, a hacker cons you into clicking a pop-up
or link via emails, text messages, or websites. With just one click the malware
gets access to enter your gadget. Then it prompts you to download some apps or
give permissions.
Have a look at reviews and ratings before you decide to download an app that you have never used before. A quick Google search about its history and makers can also help legitimize if it is an authentic app or a potential malware. One must also be suspicious of following links that come out of spam emails or unverified sources.
Compare Top Antivirus
COMPARE WORLD’S BEST ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION 2019-2020
Antivirus software for Android have added benefits like the ability to lock or wipe a phone that has been lost or stolen. Along with the antivirus protection, these apps accommodate backup tools or offer storage clearance which makes the phone experience easy.
Play
Protect and its limitations
In 2017, Google released Play Protect that
was entrusted with keeping the Play Store away from dodgy apps. It would scan
the Play Store and get rid of apps that were contaminated. Play Protect can
also scan apps on your phone. While Play protect is a great feature, it has
succeeded only to an extent. The instances of malware apps making rounds in
Google Play crop up every now and then. Some time ago, trojans disguising as
alarm clocks and QR code scanners were found on Play Store. They had already
infected many systems before being purged out of the store.
Bitdefender is a popular and efficient antivirus app. What makes it suitable for the phone is that it is very lightweight and it’s background functions don’t interfere with normal processes of the cell phone. It deters malware in real time and does app scanning before downloading them. In its paid version, one can have additional features like web security, VNP, and anti-theft options.
360 Security has an average rating of 4.6 stars from more than 100 million users. Along with the basic anti-malware and anti-phishing features, it also has storage cleaner, battery saver, and memory booster. It has an app locking option that enables one to close off apps with a password. It is free of cost.
CM Security is made by Cheetah Mobile, who is credited with making the world’s most popular apps. CM Security can enable private browsing that lets one browse websites without being tracked and it also has an app lock feature that locks apps with fingerprints. It has top-notch features like intruder selfie too. The app is lightweight and has garnered an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 18 million people.
Kaspersky is a much-reputed antivirus app that is popular around the world. Several companies trust their systems with this software. Its Android version has many useful features added in it like SMS blocking, locating the lost device, privacy mode, etc.
