Antivirus apps for your mobile phone

+ available (+) only in premium version

Malware scan:

With a malware scan, your cell phone is completely checked. If there are unknown or dangerous files on it, the program sounds an alarm.

Virus cleaner:

If viruses or harmful files are found on your mobile phone, the cleaner ensures that they disappear from your device.

Phishing protection:

Regardless of whether it is fake emails or websites. With phishing protection, you no longer fall into the trap of data theft. The protection does not allow you to access such sites in the first place and alerts you immediately.

Web protection:

If you click on a link that would lead you to a phishing page or something similar, the web protection prevents you from doing so. The web protection is your personal bodyguard while surfing.

WLAN screening:

Free WLAN is practical because your own data volume is not used. However, not every WLAN is secure. This tool checks wireless networks for threats.

App-Lock:

You can lock individual apps separately. This is particularly useful for applications with sensitive data, such as banking apps or photo albums.

Anti-Theft:

With this tool, a cell phone can be located, locked and reset to factory settings in the event of loss or theft in order to protect your data. Some apps even offer a photo function to expose the alleged thief.

Data protection:

This function detects apps that pose a risk to data because they have access permissions that are not even necessary or pass information on to third parties.

Performance optimization:

clean up storage space, close apps, empty caches. All the tools that help make your mobile phone faster and more powerful absolutely belong on your smartphone. Most manufacturers have already thought of this and these functions are inherent on the device. As an addition to an anti-virus app, it can't do any harm.

2. Kaspersky - virus protection from Russia

Kaspersky has years of experience in removing malware. Even before the advent of smartphones, the program protected domestic PCs and laptops.

In the free version of the application, you can have your cell phone checked for viruses of all kinds. If a source of danger is found during an investigation, the app tries to disinfect it, i.e. to remove the damaged material.

If this does not succeed, the defective app, file or software is placed in quarantine. If the smartphone is lost or stolen, you can control it remotely thanks to the theft protection and thus activate an alarm, block the cell phone, locate it and trigger the camera.

And the call filter also makes your life easier. You can easily block unwanted callers.

More protection with a subscription

You get more functions in the subscription version. This includes real-time protection, in which your cell phone is checked around the clock. Web protection is also one of the most important preventive measures when it comes to malware. Should you encounter a danger while surfing, the online bodyguard will warn you and prevent you from accessing the threat. There is also the app lock, with which you can protect all apps individually with a password.

Access permissions: Identity, device and app history, device ID and call information, storage, location, phone, contacts, camera, WiFi connection information, calendar, miscellaneous

3. Avira - The one with the umbrella

Avira is also an experienced security expert when it comes to viruses. The German company had around 240 million users in 2014. The virus protection program has also been available as an app for Android smartphones for some time. The app scans the cell phone extensively for viruses. The free app also offers app lock, which can be used to assign a lock code to individual apps in order to make access to private data such as photos or banking details more difficult.

Theft protection and more

Avira also offers an anti-theft function. In the event of a loss, you can let your cell phone ring, lock it and delete the memory so that no one can see your private data.

Identity Safeguard monitors your emails and contacts. All you have to do is enter your email address and tap on Scan.

A permission manager evaluates your privacy based on app permissions. Avira divides apps into high, low risk and safe apps. You should withdraw the respective permissions from high-risk applications.

The advertising is very dominant in the free version, which makes handling difficult.

In the Pro version, there are other security tools available in addition to turning off advertising. With microphone and camera protection, spying on by strangers is hardly possible. Web protection does not allow you to access questionable pages or links and warns you of possible dangers.

Access permissions: storage, identity, device ID and call information, location, camera, phone, contacts, WiFi connection information, device and app history, microphone, miscellaneous

4. Norton - Antivirus protection since the early 90s

Norton scans your phone for malware. This includes the scan of system apps, SD card and the scan of apps that you want to install on Google Play. The application will remove any ransomware found immediately. Norton scans the smartphone at optimal intervals so that the device is completely protected. In the data protection report, the antivirus protection lists apps that use and pass on personal information.

Account required

To use services such as Anti-Theft or contact backup, you need a Norton account . In the Pro version, web protection, system advisor and WLAN security are even more pronounced. If someone tries to spy on your online activities in the same WLAN, the app warns you immediately. You also get additional protection thanks to remote deletion of your data and a snapshot function. If you lose your mobile phone or if it is stolen, you can take a picture of the area around your smartphone.

Access permissions: Identity, storage, camera, device ID and call information, location, phone, contacts, device and app history, WiFi connection information, miscellaneous

5. McAfee - The antivirus app with a protective shield

With the McAfee app you can already use many functions in the free version. First of all, you can scan the entire contents of the smartphone and check for dangers. Unfortunately, the app also shows the home WiFi as a threat as long as no VPN is activated. You can use Anti-Theft for free even in the basic version. To do this, register with McAfee with your email address and, in the event that your smartphone disappears, you can request the location and a theft photo.

Thanks to the data protection check, you can find out which of your installed apps access too much private information and pass on data to advertising companies.

With McAfee you also cleanse the memory. This means that your cell phone runs much faster. Battery optimization, memory cleaning, and tracking of your data usage ensure that your phone works more efficiently.

Even more is possible with an upgrade

There are two upgrade options. In the standard version, you also get secure internet that blocks dangerous links and websites that steal personal data and an app lock. The version also includes a guest mode that can only access what you release and access to a cloud. Advertising is turned off in the affordable version. The Plus version also includes WLAN protection through McAfee VPN technology. You can test both versions for 7 days free of charge.

Access permissions: Identity, device and app history, phone, location, storage, camera, device ID and call information, microphone, WiFi connection information, contacts, miscellaneous

6. Security Master - only for mobile phones

Security Master was specially designed for smartphones and offers many free tools. In addition to a virus scan that searches for the full range of malicious software, the app offers WLAN security that searches the network for malware. In any case, the protection app will advise you to connect to VPN, which is included in the free version for free.