The use of antivirus software on mobile phones has increased significantly recently. While many people still don't trust the effectiveness of an antivirus app on their phone, others believe it's essential, especially for security.
There are a multitude of antivirus apps for Android and iOS devices , but are they worth the investment? Opinions vary widely on this topic. We'll try to determine whether an antivirus app is effective or not.
What is an antivirus?
Antivirus is a term you are familiar with, but what is an antivirus for Android?
An antivirus program is software designed to scan the applications , files, settings, and media on your Android device to identify any malicious or potentially unwanted programs. It uses a technology called heuristics to recognize malicious or unwanted behavior.
When a virus or similar threat is detected, it attempts to remove the threat and undo any damage already caused. A good antivirus for Android should protect you against the following:
- Malware – This can include spyware, ransomware, and adware.
- Phishing – This involves tricking you into clicking on a link that leads you to a fake website where they will try to obtain your personal data such as your bank details or passwords.
- Hacking – If someone has hacked your device, they may be able to access your personal data.
software automatically scans your device's files and applications to identify anything that could compromise your personal data . If a threat is detected, it will be quarantined until it can be safely removed from your device.
Examples of antivirus software
Android system-integrated antivirus: Google Play Protect
Android has always been perceived as more vulnerable to cyberattacks than other operating systems (like iOS or Windows ), although this isn't always true. The most common reason is that the Google Play Store doesn't have the same level of control and security as Apple's App Store or Windows Store. Furthermore, Android devices come pre-installed with a variety of apps from different sources, making it difficult for Google to monitor everything.
Google Play Protect: What is it?
In 2017, Google launched a feature called Google Play Protect, which can be considered a simple built-in antivirus. This innovation was designed to ensure that users do not download malicious applications from the Play Store, but also to scan all applications already installed on the phone and remove any malicious activity.
Google Play Protect: How does it work?
The concept behind how Google Play Protect works is based on analyzing all apps (including yours) to detect any suspicious activity and protect your device from attacks.
There are two ways to scan your device using Google Play Protect: on-demand scans and scheduled scans . On-demand scans only check installed apps and files for any harmful activity at that time, while scheduled scans check all new apps as soon as they are installed.
This article might interest you: How to solve the WIFI authentication problem on Android?
10 Antivirus not integrated into the Android system
- Ad-Aware Free Antivirus
- Antivirus and mobile security
- Avast! Mobile Security
- AVG Antivirus Free
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
- CM Security Open Network
- Dr.Web Anti-virus Light
- ESET Mobile Security and Antivirus
- F-Secure Anti-Virus SAFE
- Kaspersky Internet Security for Android
Are antivirus programs not integrated into the Android system effective?
Google Play Protect is designed to protect your Android device and data from malicious apps and security threats.
Google Play Protect is built into every Android device with Google Play installed; it is constantly updated and automatically takes steps to keep your data and device safe, without you having to lift a finger.
Systematic protection:
Analyzing more than 50 billion apps every day, Google's machine learning system is always on the lookout for new risks, identifying potentially dangerous apps by keeping them away from your device or removing them.
Keep your eyes open:
If an app seems suspicious, Google Play Protect scans it for known malware, potentially dangerous apps, and unusual behavior. If a threat is identified, Google Play Protect sends you a notification. Google Play Protect may also remove the threat from your device if it believes it could harm you or other users.
Ongoing update:
Google's security services are constantly updated to protect you from new threats as soon as they're discovered. And because Google Play Protect runs in the background, most users will never have to worry about the technology behind it, just like you don't have to worry about how your car starts when you turn the key.
Basically, antivirus software not integrated into the Android system isn't as effective as Google Play Protect, and Google Play Protect is more than sufficient.
In conclusion,
Android antivirus has proven to be a failed solution. The results claimed by antivirus app developers are insufficient to prove the effectiveness of their product.
Google Play Protect is sufficient to meet the security (antivirus) needs of Android users. It's time to stop thinking about and using antivirus apps for phones, as they are very ineffective and only display intrusive ads and drain battery .
