As a cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in cloud data security, I cannot stress enough the importance of protecting your Android device with antivirus software. Android is the most widely used mobile operating system, which unfortunately also makes it the biggest target for cybercriminals.
Recent stats paint a sobering picture:
- Android accounted for 85% of all mobile malware attacks in 2020 (Purplesec)
- Over 142,000 new Android malware samples were detected in Q3 2022, a 15% increase from Q2 (Purplesec)
- Banking trojans and downloader malware make up over 30% of current Android threats (Purplesec)
Clearly, Android users face an onslaught of malware risks daily. Running frequent antivirus scans is crucial to secure your device. In this guide, I‘ll share my expert advice on recognizing Android malware, selecting an antivirus tool, scanning for threats, and keeping your phone safe.
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How to Know if Your Android is Infected
As a mobile security expert, I‘ve seen malware employ some devious tricks to avoid detection on Android devices. Sometimes there are obvious symptoms, like sluggish performance or mysterious pop ups. But advanced threats may run silently in the background, giving no indications as they steal your data.
Here are common signs to watch out for:
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Drain on battery life: Malware strains running constant background tasks eat up extra battery. If your phone dies faster than expected, it could point to an infection.
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Unusual spikes in data usage: Viruses often communicate with malicious servers, using up your data allowance in the process. Outsized data consumption can signal malware.
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Unknown apps: Malware is commonly masked as enticing games and tools. Criminals hope you‘ll install their infected apps. Be wary of unfamiliar apps on your phone.
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Repeated crashes/freezes: Viruses hog system resources, often causing apps to crash and freeze. Frequent unexplained crashes indicate malware.
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Sluggish performance: Much like on a PC, viruses slow Android devices to a crawl by consuming RAM and processor cycles. Lagging performance is a red flag.
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Overheating: Working hard in the background, malware can cause your phone to heat up more than usual. If it‘s hot despite normal use, malware may be lurking.
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Pop-ups and redirects: One goal of many threats is to expose you to phishing scams or shady ads for revenue. Unexpected pop-ups point to adware or a Trojan.
Stay alert for these signs of infection. But the only way to be sure your phone is malware-free is to scan it regularly with antivirus software.
Choosing the Best Android Antivirus App
The Google Play Store offers many antivirus apps – some better than others. Based on my professional experience, here are the top Android antivirus programs available today:
Bitdefender Mobile Security
With over 10 years of expertise securing mobile devices, Bitdefender is my top choice for Android antivirus. It offers rock-solid protection against malware, network threats, and malicious websites. The Autopilot feature automatically scans new apps as you install them. If your device is lost, you can locate, lock or wipe it remotely.
Norton 360 Mobile Security
Developed by Symantec, a cybersecurity leader, Norton 360 provides comprehensive defense equipped with artificial intelligence to detect evolving threats. It also gives useful network insights about connected WiFi hotspots. More security features are available via an affordable premium subscription.
McAfee Mobile Security
Backed by decades of cybersecurity research, McAfee Mobile Security gives you pro-grade malware protection. It scrutinizes app behavior to identify stealthy threats. Advanced web filtering blocks dangerous sites, and WiFi protection monitors networks. McAfee offers plans for securing all your household‘s devices.
Trend Micro Mobile Security
Relying on threat intelligence from Trend Micro‘s leading security labs, this antivirus app provides robust defense against Android malware and ransomware attempts. It scans websites and files accessed through your device. The premium version adds an extra layer of web protection.
Lookout Security & Antivirus
Utilizing predictive data science, Lookout Security & Antivirus detects emerging mobile threats before they spread. It also gives you valuable insights on the security of installed apps and your overall network health. Premium plans include lost phone features and expert support.
Step-by-Step: How to Scan Your Android for Malware
Once you‘ve installed trusted antivirus software, here are the steps I recommend to scan your device:
Update the Virus Database
Before running a scan, check for virus definition updates so your software has the latest signatures. I advise configuring your app to update automatically so you always have maximum protection.
Schedule Regular Scans
You should scan your device at least weekly, if not more often. See if your antivirus app has an option to schedule scans on a daily or weekly basis, then turn it on. Scheduled scans take place automatically.
Scan All Apps
Make sure to do a full scan of all apps on your device – both user-installed and pre-loaded apps can harbor threats. Apps you use less often can still become infected.
Scan External Storage
SD cards and connected drives should also be scanned. Malware often hides there hoping to evade detection. For full protection, scan all internal and external storage.
Reboot After Scanning
Reboot your device after finishing a scan to clear out any remaining traces of infections. This helps ensure removed threats don‘t linger and reinfect your phone when it restarts.
Review Scan Reports
Take a look at the detailed post-scan report from your antivirus app. It will show you what types of threats, if any, were found – this helps improve your awareness of mobile malware.
Regular, thorough scans quickly wipe out any infections before cybercriminals can leverage them to compromise or spy on your device.
Beyond Malware Scanning: Additional Benefits of Antivirus Apps
Android antivirus tools do much more than just scan for existing infections. Here are some additional security layers a good antivirus app provides:
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WiFi security – Monitor the security of WiFi hotspots and alert you to unsafe connections which could expose your data.
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Web filtering – Scan websites and block access to known phishing pages or sources of malware. This prevents infections while browsing.
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App advisor – Scan apps before you download them from the Play Store and warn about suspicious permissions or potential malware.
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Activity log – Record device activity to help you identify unusual or malicious behavior.
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Junk cleaning – Clear out old temporary files and cached data to free up storage space and improve performance.
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Remote lock & wipe – Remotely lock down a lost or stolen device to prevent access. If device recovery seems unlikely, remotely wipe data.
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Data backups – Back up contacts, photos and app data to the cloud to enable easy device restores after data wipes.
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Family monitoring – See the security status of all devices in a family group and help identify problems.
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Customer support – Get access to 24/7 technical experts who can assist you with infection removal and device troubleshooting.
The layers of protection offered by premium antivirus apps are well worth the yearly subscription cost, often less than $30.
Answers to Common Android Security Questions
As a mobile security professional, here are my answers to questions I often hear from Android users:
Should I install antivirus on a new Android device?
Yes, definitely install antivirus immediately on any new phone to protect against threats. Brand new devices are still vulnerable. Make antivirus your first app install.
Can I get malware from the Google Play Store?
The Play Store scans apps but sometimes infected ones make it through. Additional scanning by antivirus apps catches these misses. Always run antivirus.
Is a free antivirus app OK?
Free apps provide basic protection, but paid antivirus offers advanced real-time scanning, phishing protection, and other security layers lacking in free versions. Invest in a premium antivirus app.
How often should I scan my phone?
I recommend weekly full scans at minimum. Frequent scanning is ideal – daily or every 2-3 days when possible. This allows antivirus apps to detect any new threats before major harm occurs.
Can an iPhone get malware like Android?
iPhones have much lower malware risk due to Apple‘s closed operating system. However, Android‘s open platform attracts far more threats. Android absolutely requires antivirus protection.
Protect Your Android Now Against Malware
As mobile threats grow more advanced, it‘s crucial to take proactive steps to secure your Android device. Installing a trusted antivirus app like Bitdefender or Norton 360 is the single most important thing you can do to keep your phone and data safe. These tools provide constant protection against existing and emerging malware threats. Don‘t delay – get antivirus on your Android today!
