You may have been alarmed in recent years by the large number of viruses that threaten Android users. It is true that according to the latest data, specifically from Kantar, Google's mobile operating system is present in 90% of mobile phones that work in Spain .
This inevitably means that the majority of threats from hackers and cybercriminals target this mass of users. Not surprisingly, it is the best way to make your work much more profitable . We also know that every few seconds a new threat appears for Android.
And this causes us to worry, surely rightly, about our safety and that of ours, every time we hear in the media that a new virus or vulnerability could put us at risk . To avoid all these headaches, there are a couple of things we can do.
The first, and most important, is to be very clear about the good practices and precautions to take when using a mobile. The second is to install an antivirus on the device, just as you have it working on your laptop or desktop.
But, are antivirus for Android as useful and essential as its developers tell us? Next, we will tell you everything you need to know about protection, viruses, threats and malicious applications on Android.
Is the Android operating system safe?
Although we should give you a concrete and accurate answer, we cannot say one hundred percent that Android is a safe operating system. In fact, you already know that new vulnerabilities emerge every month and that at least every two years, a serious security alert appears. This does not mean that using an Android mobile is a risky activity: nothing is further from the truth.
The only thing that happens is that it is convenient to be as aware as possible of all the alerts, warnings and precautions so as not to fall into traps, forget about the patches that manufacturers are launching or download malicious applications and files that can bring us more than one breakdown of head.
First of all, you should know that most manufacturers present monthly updates. These are the way to apply the latest security solutions in force to our mobile phone. You also have to bear in mind that Google itself offers operating system updates for two years (maximum three) , which is undoubtedly another good way to protect yourself against threats.
It must be borne in mind, on the other hand, that in recent times Google has also got to work to protect users who access - almost inevitably - the Google Play Store, which is the application store of Google . There have been few occasions in which malicious applications have been sneaked into it, so it is essential to be very careful with what you download. Google Play Protect is a system that is responsible for scanning the applications that we have installed on the device.
What do we mean by all this? Well, in the beginning, the safety of Android mobile users is guaranteed , unless we put ourselves in serious danger through inappropriate behavior. The installation of an antivirus will depend, in reality, on the need and the decision of the users themselves.
What type of antivirus exists for Android mobiles?
We are very used to using antivirus on our computers. In fact, it is not advisable to have a computer connected to the internet without any type of protection. In recent times, countless solutions have proliferated, some even free, to add extra security to phones .
Next, we offer you a list with the free antivirus that you can install on your Android mobile:
- ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus
- Malwarebytes: Antivirus & Anti-Malware
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free
- Sophos Mobile Security
- AVG Antivirus Free 2019
- Avira Antivirus Security 2019
- Avast Mobile Security Free
All these antivirus can be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store . If you click on it, you will see that you can quickly start the download and installation on your Android.
Then, of course, there are different payment solutions, developed by the main security companies that are already dedicated to creating antivirus for personal computers . We can highlight the following:
- Panda Mobile Security 2019
- Kaspersky Internet Security for Android 2019
- Internet Security for Android
Payment solutions do not exceed 20 euros per year and usually include, like free solutions, some complementary services. Thus, in addition to antivirus protection, malware scanners are integrated, an extra control for applications, location systems or parental control for children.
You see: if a major threat against Android devices arises, a security update will most likely appear right away to address it. Antiviruses can work , yes, as a security extra that allows you to always be aware of malware threats and take advantage of other complementary functions such as those mentioned.
Don't let your guard down: alert with your Android
Having an antivirus solution installed should not imply that you completely let your guard down. In fact, one of the keys to keeping your Android device in perfect health is to be especially cautious when using it . We recommend the following:
- Avoid browsing suspicious pages, with inappropriate content from your mobile (and from any other medium, of course).
- Do not download files whose origin you do not know, whether you find them online or if they are sent to you via email or WhatsApp chains.
- Do not click on links with an uncertain destination, to participate in raffles or untrue promotions (remember that nobody gives anything away).
- Don't download apps from unofficial sites. If you do, let it be from the Google Play Store and reject imitations, apps that duplicate functions or that have bad reviews in the store.
- Install security updates as soon as possible. You must remain attentive to the notices that the manufacturer sends to your phone, to be always up to date.