If your smartphone is a digital longboat sailing the turbulent seas of the internet, then viruses are treacherous pirates who want to turn it into a wreck. Viking, instead of dwelling on this multi-layered comparison, check if a good antivirus for your phone can protect you from all threats.
The basic and general rule is simple: it's better to protect yourself than not. However, when using a phone, this doesn't necessarily have to mean installing antivirus software. Sure, a good antivirus for your phone is always fine – but if you use your smartphone in a sen-si-ble way (we're intentionally syllabifying), you won't need additional software. Define 'sensible way,' you say? Here you go.
Antivirus? Yes, but above all, common sense!
You don't visit suspicious websites. You say no to downloading random files. You don't look for pirated versions of movies and audiobooks on sites with at least suspicious-sounding names. And even if you do look for them, it's only out of curiosity – and you don't download them to your phone. You only download apps from official stores (App Store, Google Play, AppGallery), and if not, you verify the source five times over. You don't open links sent by strangers, and you even apply the principle of limited trust to friends… You also don't click on pop-up windows that assure you of a cosmic win, and you don't reply to emails informing you of an inheritance awaiting you overseas. Because you don't even open them.
Because you don't even open them, right?
RIGHT?!
That's it when it comes to sensible smartphone usage. To make a long story short, it's worth being cautious and remembering that the world ain't all sunshine and rainbows, so threats lurk practically everywhere.
For this reason, it's also better not to log into open Wi-Fi networks (municipal, café, hotel, or shop). It's also better to use your own charging cable and not plug into unknown USB ports. It's also good not to be a politician, judge, investigative journalist, multimillionaire, etc., because even caution might not be enough here…
Also, be sure to regularly update your operating system – don't delay with updates, install them immediately when you get a notification. Do they weigh a lot? A solid portion of mobile-internet will take care of it.
Says Paweł Hanyś, cybersecurity expert at Mobile Vikings:
Antivirus has always been an essential tool for working on a computer. Currently, we handle most things on mobile devices, but do we give the same importance to their security? There are far fewer threats, but that doesn't mean there are none at all.
Free antivirus for your phone – why is it worth it?
Sometimes even the cleverest among us fall for tricks. The methods of Those-Cunning-On-The-Other-Side are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and haste and lack of attention (which is how we often use smartphones) can lead us to click on something we would normally immediately recognize as dodgy. In this case, a good antivirus for your phone can be useful. A warning that we are dealing with a suspicious website, an attempt to phish data, or the installation of malicious software can be invaluable.
Incidentally, such an agent can help you remove old and unnecessary files from your phone's memory, uninstall unused applications, check the number of devices connected to the network, etc. It can be useful. Android is definitely worth additional protection. Phones with iOS, due to its architecture and the lack of antivirus system access to the system kernel – less so.
Good antivirus for your phone – why not?
Antivirus software on your smartphone will constantly run in the background. This may, though not necessarily, slow down the device. However, it will certainly lead to faster battery drain.
Which antivirus for your phone should you choose?
For Android and iOS:
Bitdefender Mobile Security
In brief: virus protection, real-time scanning, privacy protection.
The app has an anti-theft feature that allows you to remotely lock and wipe data from a lost (stolen – let's call a spade a spade) device. It doesn't consume system resources, so it will also work well on older, slower smartphones. It has a built-in VPN and a privacy advisor.
Paid app, trial version available* | Our rating: 4/6
Norton Mobile Security
In brief: malware detection, Wi-Fi protection, identity protection tools.
The Web Protection feature blocks dangerous websites, preventing data theft and online scams. The app alerts the user if their data appears online. It provides system scanning and device optimization. Of course, it protects against viruses, malware, and phishing – like all solid antiviruses.
Paid app, trial version available | Our rating: 4/6
Avast Mobile Security
In brief: virus protection, app lock, Wi-Fi security.
It also offers Wi-Fi network protection, checking its security and warning against potential hacking attacks. It has an anti-theft feature (device location, remote locking and data wiping). VPN, app lock, and photo protection are also on board.
Free app with paid premium features | Our rating: 4/6
Avira Mobile Security
In brief: email protection, safe browsing, phishing block.
It monitors the net for data breaches – and informs you if user data has leaked online. It includes anti-theft features for device location and an option to block suspicious connections. It stands out with its intuitive interface and lightweight design, so it doesn't burden the system.
Free app with paid premium features | Our rating: 5/6
McAfee Mobile Security
In brief: theft protection, Wi-Fi monitoring, file vault.
Built-in privacy protection allows for password-locking apps and scanning for personal data leaks. It has a VPN and scans Wi-Fi.
Paid app, free trial version | Our rating: 5/6
Lookout Mobile Security
In brief: data protection, device monitoring.
It also features identity monitoring, which informs the user when their personal data appears online. It has advanced anti-theft functions. It monitors the system, analyzing smartphone applications and settings to detect potential security vulnerabilities.
Free app with paid premium features | Our rating: 5/6
*Availability and payment models may vary depending on the region – and over time.
And one more quote from Paweł Hanyś at the end:
Antivirus systems will protect us in some way, but the last bastion of security is ourselves, and we should primarily rely on our own vigilance and attention.
