Android is the top operating system in the world, used by more people than any other OS. While such broad usage brings a lot of advantages, there are some risks that come with it as well. Plenty of cybercriminals are looking to take advantage of Android users—and particularly business users. Gaining access to your business through your company’s mobile devices is just too enticing for bad actors to pass up. With access, they can cause more damage and potentially make more money than they ever could with a personal user.
Security Apps—More Than Antivirus
Considering how desirable your business data is to hackers, it only makes sense to put up what barriers you can—which is where security apps come in. With the right security apps, you can do a lot more than simply identify and eliminate viruses. You can track your phone, lock it so that others cannot use it and even wipe the device completely if you choose to. You can also monitor the apps on your device to see what they are doing or attempting to do, such as access information they should not be accessing. Some security apps even let you prevent the SIM card in your device from being swapped.
Best Security Apps for Android
The following security apps are considered some of the best in the industry. While they vary in what they offer—and all offer more for paying customers than those using the apps for free—you can depend on each and everyone to provide much-needed protection for your business mobile devices.
1. Bitdefender
Bitdefender is a favorite among reviewers for a variety of reasons. It uses very little of your device’s resources to run and includes numerous beneficial features like VPN, ransomware protection and anti-theft protection. You do have to schedule your scans or start them manually—which is why it uses so little overhead on your device—but it is not necessarily a bad thing to be involved in the security of your device.
Like all security apps, the free version is the most basic configuration available. It offers malware and antivirus protection as well as app monitoring. The paid version, called Bitdefender Total Security, is much more robust. It includes pretty much all the security features you can have with Android, including app lock and anti-theft protection
2. Avast Mobile Security
Avast is another highly-respected security company known for delivering quality products that are full-featured. The free version of the app includes pretty much everything you need for basic mobile security, including antitheft, antivirus, malware protection, firewall and call blocking. The biggest disadvantage of the free version is that it includes ads. But if you are willing to put up with advertisements, you can get a lot at no cost.
There are some definite advantages that come with a paid Pro version, however. The Pro version lets you utilize a VPN, manage passwords, protect your apps using PIN codes, lock SIM cards and even takes a picture of thieves that steal your phone and try to use it.
3. Norton
Norton (norton.com) is probably the best-known security software maker out there. They have a reputation to uphold, so their mobile security offerings are solid and feature-full. In addition to antivirus, it includes cloud backup, password management, online threat protection, VPN, Smart Firewall, antitheft and more.
Norton actually guarantees that your devices will remain free of viruses or your money back. But getting such comprehensive protection requires paying for their services. Their mobile app, Norton Mobile Security, is only free for 30 days. After that, you will need to pay $29.99 a month to continue to use it. There are sometimes promotions that let you get Norton Mobile Security for less, but there is no free version.
There are other Norton products that include Norton Mobile Security, including Norton 360 Standard and Deluxe, as well as Norton 360 with LifeLock Select. They offer protection for your computers as well as a set number of mobile devices.
4. Kaspersky
Kaspersky is another big player in the security app industry. They make a high-quality product that is excellent for antivirus, malware protection, antitheft and more. Kaspersky Internet Security for Android is possibly the most full-featured free security app available. Of course, they have a paid version which includes even more, like anti-phishing protection.
Choosing the Right Security App
All of these apps offer at least a free trial period, so you can try them to determine which is best for your needs. If you have more questions about security apps, please contact Austin IT services specialist Jason Simons at ICS Inc (https://www.ics-com.net/business-it-support/managed-it-services-austin/)