As Android rose in popularity, the security issues affecting the mobile operating system also increased rampantly. Today, there are millions of Android devices out there and over 1.4 million apps. Among them, many security apps are available that provide such features as virus protection, firewall, theft protection, and remote data security. In this article, learn about the best security apps you can install on your Android smartphone.

1. Ahnlab V3 Mobile

Ahnlab V3 Mobile is one of the best security apps for your Android phone. It has been rated as the best security app by AV-Test.org, the top independent organization that tests security software for desktop computers and smartphones. V3 Mobile provides key features such as anti-theft protection, anti-spam, encryption, and network management besides virus and malware protection.

2. Avast Mobile Security

Avast Mobile Security is very trustworthy in the antivirus and security domain for Android devices. This is a comprehensive security solution with malware protection, firewall, network meter, vulnerability finder, remote locking, and remote data wipe. The app is highly popular and has been downloaded from Google Play anywhere between 100 and 500 million times.

3. Bitdefender Mobile Security

Bitdefender is a highly popular security software provider for desktop computers. It provides also a mobile security solution for Android devices. Bitdefender Mobile Security has been downloaded nearly 5 million times from Google Play. It provides certain new features as well, such as WearOn (mobile security for your smart watch), malware scanner, app locking, privacy advisor, and anti-theft.

4. AVG AntiVirus Security

AVG provides free antivirus for your smartphone. AVG AntiVirus Security is highly popular and has been downloaded over 100 million times from Google Play. Major features include automatic scanning, killing non-responsive apps, monitoring battery consumption, anti-theft, securing files and contacts, and anti-phishing.

5. Avira Antivirus Security

Avira provides a free app for Android smartphone security. The app provides malware detection, anti-theft protection, identity protection, call blocking, and message filtering among other features. Using Avira’s device administration dashboard, you can manage up to five Android devices online.

6. ESET Mobile Security

ESET is a popular mobile security app. ESET has released a new version recently with a revamped user interface. ESET antivirus is a very trustworthy malware detector with over 99.7 % detection rate. The app also provides automatic scanning, on-demand scanning, anti-theft, and remote lock. A few premium features of the app include online management of stolen devices, phishing detection, call blocking, etc.

7. F-Secure Mobile Security

F-Secure is another popular security solution for your Android phone. Key features include application privacy, banking protection, safe browsing, anti-theft, identity protection, call blocking, parental control, and app scanning. The app enjoys over half a million downloads from Google Play.

8. Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky Labs provides antivirus and internet security applications for desktops and mobile devices. Kaspersky Internet Security enjoys nearly 10 million downloads from Google Play. Important features include anti-phishing, anti-theft, real-time scanning, privacy protection, remote data wipe, etc.

9. G Data Internet Security

G Data provides a free antivirus and internet security app for your Android device. The app provides advanced scanning options, anti-phishing, parental controls, call and SMS filtering, password protection for apps, contact hiding, etc. The app has a detection ratio of 98.3 % at AV-Test.org.

10. McAfee Antivirus & Security

McAfee provides a popular antivirus and internet security app for your smartphone. The app enjoys nearly 50 million downloads in Google Play. Threat detection ratio is close to 98.3 %. The features of this app include malware protection, device locking, alarm, uninstall protection, call blocking, Wi-Fi security, safe browsing, etc.

Conclusion

Android is a Linux-based mobile operating system. However, unlike desktop Linux distributions, a large number of viruses and malware target Android. It is inevitable that you secure your smartphone with an efficient security app. Also, ensure that your security app is updated frequently.