Top 5 Security Applications For Your Android Smartphone

The latest release of the Android OS is more secure than ever and Google is doing it’s very best to improve the security in its operating system with every new release of android software. However, as the platform is becoming increasingly popular and has even surpassed the market share of iOS, it is becoming more attractive to malware producers and identity thieves. While carefully viewing application permissions and downloading and installing apps from trusted sources only can go a long way toward securing your phone, mobile security applications provide an essential extra level of protection to your mobile devices. These five applications that I'm going to introduce to you today are the best choices currently available for securing your Android smartphone from various virus, malwares and other malicious apps.

1. ESET Mobile Security

ESET's PC security offerings are top notch. Their debut entry into mobile security offers similar performance. In addition to the standard antivirus and antispam capabilities, the mobile application features a comprehensive anti-theft suite as well. ESET's biggest asset is its intuitive and non-intrusive interface. Configuring and using this application could not be simpler. Here are some key features of ESET mobile security app. 

Eset mobile security

• Call, SMS and MMS filtering
• Real-time and on-demand scanning
• SIM card matching
• Application removal prevention
• Remote GPS activation
• Remote data wipe
• Remote password locking
• Comprehensive security audit

Overall ESET mobile security is one of the best security applications available for android smartphone. However, like all other nice things, this app also comes with it's own price of $9.99 for a one year license. But, you can try out the 30-day free trial first to see if it's worth the price or not. You can install the app and/or find detailed information about it on Google Play Store.

2. Webroot SecureAnywhere Mobile

WebRoot SecureAnywhere Mobile was rated at the top of mobile security apps in a recent study by AV-Test. It features a comprehensive suite of features and functionality with a sleek interface to make configuring and running the application a breeze. A unique feature of this application is the "Device Scream" feature. Using the remote interface, you can make your Android phone play a specified sound file. This is great for theft protection as well as those times when your phone slides between the couch cushions. Other Key Features include:

• Settings auditing
• App permissions analysis
• Remote data wipe
• SIM card matching
• Call, SMS and MMS filtering
• Remote GPS Activation
• Internet browser security
• Remote administration interface
• Real-time and on-demand scanning

Webroot Security and Antivirus also provides you more flexibility by offering a premier version of their free app for more secure protection of your handset with extra features and extra protection. However, the free version also packs essential tools and utilities to keep malwares and other harmful apps away from your handset. Find our more information and install Webroot SecureAnywhere Mobile application from Play Store.

3. Avast Free Mobile Security

Avast! Free Mobile Security offers comprehensive protection and detection of mobile malwares. While it lacks a few of the advanced features of some of the competitors, it has one of the highest detection rates of any mobile security application available. For those with rooted phones, it also features a sophisticated firewall feature for added protection. Best of all, the application is available for free. Other features include:

• Call, SMS and MMS filtering
• Real-time and on-demand scanning
• Application privacy notifications
• Phishing filters
• Remote lock
• Remote GPS activation
• Remote data wipe
• Remote siren
• SIM card matching
• Task and applications manager

Avast mobile security is the best of all that you can get for free in the android store. With over 10 million users and 4.7 star rating, this security application stands above all its competitors. Learn more about it and download it from here.

4. F-Secure Mobile Security

F-Secure Mobile Security offers many of the features of its competitors. Frequent updates and advanced algorithms provide superb malware detection with few false positives. For those with children, F-Secure is one of the few mobile security applications to feature parental controls. Blocking websites or phone functions is as simple as selecting from a template and customizing a few settings. Other Key Features include:

• Real-time and on-demand scanning
• Remote GPS activation
• Call, SMS and MMS filtering
• Applications permission analysis
• Affordable monthly licensing
• Automatic updates
• Remote GPS activation
• Remote data wipe
• Phishing filters
• Parental Controls 

F-secure mobile security is one of the best alternative to secure your android smartphone from malicious and harmful softwares, identity thieves, other virus and malwares. However, it seems to be quite behind other competitors. One of the reason for this is that you need to pay a huge $10 to get this app installed on your handset. Also, it doesn't seem to support older (low-range) smartphones, which could be another reason for it lagging behind. Anyway, if you are in seek of a good protection and aren't satisfied with any of the other applications listed here, then do give it a try. You can download and install it from Google's Play Store.

5. Zoner Antivirus

As one of the newest entries to the field, Zoner is quickly establishing an outstanding reputation. Welcome additions to the Zoner feature set include a convenient home screen widget and support for encrypting Facebook, Twitter, email, MMS and SMS correspondence. Other features include:

• Real-time and on-demand scanning
• Manual or automatic updates
• Parental controls
• Call, SMS and MMS filtering
• Task manager
• Application permissions analysis
• Remote GPS activation
• Remote data wipe
• Phone location tools
• Home screen widget

While Zoner antivirus is a new entry, it seems to be expanding at a great pace. This free and lightweight app, really seems to deliver what it promises and that is the only reason why it has got many positive reviews at the play store. If you are are looking for securing your android device and haven't found something reliable yet (for free) then, you should give Zoner Antivirus a try. You can download and install it from Play Store.

About The Author

John Dayton is fascinated by failure analysis, as well as other security-related topics. He’s constantly looking for ways on how to safe-keep private online information.