The Android platform has become an increasingly attractive target for viruses as more and more people use smartphones for banking, email and social networking. To combat this threat, install apps designed to protect your smartphone data from viruses, malware and spyware. Among the dozens of anti-virus apps available on the Android Market, four stand out, developed by trusted companies with a track record for keeping desktop and laptop computers safe from viruses and other threats.
Lookout
Lookout is a multi-purpose security tool with anti-virus, cloud backups and device tracking functionality. The anti-virus component places an emphasis on scanning apps and related folders, as these are one of the most common delivery methods for viruses. The app is configured by default to scan your Android system on a daily basis, but you can tweak the settings to scan more or less regularly. When a virus is found, it is quarantined, and you're prompted with removal options.
ESET
ESET is a full suite of security tools including anti-virus, anti-spam, call blacklisting and theft protection. Use ESET to perform a full security audit of your Android device to find security holes in your phone's settings. Once the audit is complete, you can enable various built-in settings to enhance phone security. The anti-virus component of ESET is one of the most comprehensive among the leading options. The app scans every bit of data you download, including downloads from your browser or the Android Market. ESET also performs a full system scan on a daily basis.
AVG
The AVG anti-virus app offers comprehensive protection for your Android device, including device backups, Web-based remote management functionality that enables you to wipe data if your phone is lost and a system task manager. The app scans a variety of locations for viruses, including your app folders, text message links and your browsing history. You can also use AVG to scan your system settings to find loopholes in your device configuration that could pose a threat.
Dr. Web
The most lightweight anti-virus app of the group, Dr. Web doesn't include additional features like spam protection, device tracking or call blocking, but it does have a highly effective virus scanner. In particular, Dr. Web takes a real-time approach to security, scanning every bit of downloaded data and immediately scanning connected SD cards before mounting them to your Android device. The app also performs daily full system scans to ensure that your phone is secure from threats.
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