Apple Airtags and similar Bluetooth tracking devices have been lifesavers in helping users find their electronics, keys, wallets, pets, and other valuable items. However, as new technology comes out, hackers and predators rise to the occasion and find new ways to use and abuse the technology. We’ve previously discussed the benefits of a few types of Bluetooth devices. As with any technology, there are always pros and cons to each type; however, safety is always a concern whether it’s for you or your children.
Apple Airtags come in as one of the top Bluetooth tracking devices with a pricing of around $30 per device. One of the benefits we discussed is the overall size of the Apple Airtags as they come in a quarter size and can be attached to hard-to-find items. The most convenient feature is the Precision Finding Feature which allows Apple users who have an iPhone 11 or newer to have the location and distance to the object they need to find. If you’re using these trackers for finding your belongings, these are great features. However, the two positive features can drastically become negative if someone is using these for malicious activity.
The Problem With Bluetooth Trackers
The first problem is the size of these Bluetooth trackers. Since they are the size of a quarter, predators can easily attach them to a person’s purse, backpack, car, bike, etc. without the person noticing. The combination of the size and Precision Finding Feature means that predators can discreetly place and track the Apple Airtags completely unnoticed. In February this year, in Dayton, Ohio at Wittenberg University, an 18-year-old freshman received a notification on her iPhone that an unknown accessory had been detected and that the accessory had been with her for some time, revealing her location to the registered owner. The device had tracked this woman from the airport where she picked up a friend, to the university campus 50 miles away. However, when the police inspected the exterior of her car, they couldn’t find the Bluetooth device anywhere.
Apple does provide information on their website on what to do if you receive a notification about an Apple Airtag, including the steps to disable it. However, the website lists multiple steps per item, which seems rather difficult given a moment of vulnerability. Most other sites say you can remove the battery on the Apple Airtag once you find it. Various states including Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Connecticut, and Texas have reported the abuse of AirTags with reports of domestic stalking and car stealing attempts. If you receive a notification about an unknown device, law enforcement recommends that you find the nearest police station, fire station, or another safe space that isn’t your home or place of work. If someone is stalking you, you don’t want them to know your frequent locations. Apple does offer help with the Find My Feature and the Item Safety Feature which allows users to search for unknown Airtags. Although Apple Airtags cannot sync with Android phones, you can use your Android phone to find an unknown Airtag and to see if you’re potentially tracked.
Android users have options like the Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker, the Cube Smart Bluetooth Tracker, and Samsung’s SmartTag. As we discussed before, the Tile Mate has pretty snazzy features, including being water-resistant and having a tracking distance of 250 feet. For $25, this makes it cheaper than an Apple Airtag and great for finding belongings and even kids. As for keeping your children safe, it’s great for their backpacks and personal belongings. Even if they spill their lunch or drinks, the Tile Mate is water-resistant, so you can still know where your kids are despite everyday messes. Tile Mate works with iOS and Android devices, so its versatility is one of its best benefits. It also works with smart systems like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. Tile Mate offers a convenient QR code that when scanned, provides the user contact information when lost.
With all the negative stories of stalking and car theft, Tile Mate created a new feature called Scan and Secure. This allows Tile Mate users to download the Tile app and scan for other Tile devices that may be with them. The Tile website does list the steps necessary to make the app work, however, the Scan and Secure app takes 10 minutes and recommends the user to move away from the location in question. Please visit their website for more information.
The Cube Smart Bluetooth Tracker
The Cube Smart Bluetooth Tracker is like Tile Mate and works with Apple and Android devices. The Cube has waterproof abilities and comes with a rechargeable battery. As with many Bluetooth devices, the Cube can locate any of your personal belongings with ease. It can even locate anything with GPS precision as it comes with a GPS app. With all this being a huge help to us, it also has its downfalls. With GPS precision, comes a predator’s ability to abuse trusted devices to locate you, your children, and/or your loved ones.
Samsung’s SmartTag
Samsung’s Smart Tag is a Bluetooth tracking device used exclusively for Samsung users. This is a big downfall. However, it gains attention with its easy setup. Even the most novice of device users can set this device up with the SmartThings app and start using it. It offers a long-term battery life and one-button interactivity. There’s much less information on this device, yet there are reported cases of malicious activity.
Bluetooth tracking devices offer many benefits, but as with all forms of technology, there are safety concerns. You can install the Tracker Detect app which can locate Apple Airtags and other similar compatible devices to help ensure you, your children, and your loved ones’ safety. If you feel like you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or Bluetooth tracking abuse, please reach out to your local law enforcement.
Do you worry about viruses infecting your mobile devices? You should! In today’s digital world, it’s more important than ever to protect your gadgets from the thousands of different types of malware and viruses out there. We are faced with a constant barrage of hacks and cyber attacks and our smartphones are a focal point. We wanted to explain what viruses are, how they can infect your devices, and how to protect yourself. And just because you have a new Android or new iPhone doesn’t mean you’re immune to these virus attacks either.
How Do Viruses Infect Phones?
Although your phone will not get a virus like your PC there are still various kinds of malware that can infect your phone. Despite the marketing messaging of phone manufacturers, you can still get some nasty malware on your mobile device, especially if you’re being careless and not digitally responsible. If you are concerned about how the malware will enter your mobile, then here are some ways:
If you download apps on your phone
By downloading various kinds of nefarious content on your phone (porn is a big one)
If you link your mobile phone to other devices
By jailbreaking your smartphone
What Do Viruses Do To Your Phone?
The main objective of malware is to steal sensitive data from your Android or iPhone. That is their goal because once they have personal data, they can access financial data. Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that hackers can benefit from the malware by gathering your personal information.
The malware is also used to send text messages to other telephone numbers and in most cases, the victim is completely unaware that his/her phone is being utilized. Another negative side of the malware is that it slows the performance of your mobile phone. Let’s keep in mind that viruses are malicious software designed to wreak all kinds of havoc for you.
Viruses On Android
When it comes to Androids, there is a moderate risk with the threat of malware on Android. One reason behind it is more freedom in the operating system. That’s one thing I hear often from Android users (compared to Apple) is that “I can do more with my Android”. Well..with that freedom comes an extra risk as well. Android lets users download apps from other sources than the official app store and that can be a problem.
In addition to that, from time to time users of mobile phones will customize the OS of the Android to get it to fit their requirements. With those customizations can sometimes come security holes. That’s why it becomes challenging for Google to make sure that all of the customers are utilizing the Android OS’s most secure version.
How To Know If Your Android Has Got A Virus?
There are various signs that will show that your Android is infected by malware.
The appearance of apps will appear unfamiliar or different
Crashing of apps (more frequently than normal because crashes do happen)
You’ll almost notice an increase in mobile data that you used (even though your consumption habits may not have changed. This is one reason why I review my data usage regularly).
Overheating (more than normal).
A quick drop in your phone’s battery life and health
How Do You Get Rid Of Viruses From Android?
If you want to get rid of the virus, then you should go for an antivirus app for Android. Once you get an antivirus app, you can run an antivirus scan. After that, you will have to follow instructions regarding the way of detecting and removing the virus on Android (it will all depend on the app you choose). These are standard operating procedures across most antivirus apps for mobile devices.
Now…Apple fans, you’re not off the hook either. I know you like to think that iPhones are superior in everything compared to Android, BUT…it is also true that iPhones can indeed get viruses as well. Despite what you might have heard in your cubicle pods or around the cooler in the breakroom that your iPhone device can never get malware, it’s just not true. The iPhone is a hotbed for mobile malware attacks. Furthermore, if you want to protect your iPhone from such attacks, then you must take sensible precautions.
A very popular malware attack is the pop-up ad on Safari. You may get trapped by a pop-up ad that claims your phone is in need of additional software to solve the problem (or you’ve won a free iPad), and most of the time that software is malicious.
How To Know That My iPhone Has Got A Virus?
Here are some of the most notable signs that show your iPhone potentially has got a virus:
Pop-up ads have become more frequent
More often, crashing of apps (more than normal because app crashes also happen on iOS)
An elevation of mobile data being used (again…make sure you’re monitoring data usage on your mobile devices).
Just like Android, one of the best ways to get rid of viruses is by getting an antivirus app, running a scan, and then following the next steps.
So…Do I Really Need Antivirus Software For My Smartphone?
In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to take steps toward securing our devices from viruses. While the iOS on your iPhone and Android devices is a fairly secure platform (although there are still risks), many people choose to install an antivirus app for extra protection against malware that can sneak onto these mobile devices through emails or social media sites like Facebook when you’re not looking out for them! And since the iPhone and Android operating systems do escape some types of malicious software nowadays, meaning they’ll never completely shield us automatically without added features, I highly recommend getting one with good scanning capabilities as well as other helpful tools such as threat detection.
There are a handful of really good antivirus software on the market for both Android and iPhones. If I had to choose one, it would be Norton 360 Mobile Security. This antivirus app is great for both iPhones and Android devices. You will get everything integrated into a single application, including an antivirus and VPN service that helps protect your privacy on public WiFi as well! It’s battery efficient because it doesn’t require constant monitoring like some other antivirus apps do (yes..battery life is important to me). This way you can use the phone normally while still getting all these great features such as being alerted about malicious links or websites before installing them (and even getting a warning when there are dangerous ones already installed). And I’ll be honest, I love getting 100% malware protection without slowing down device performance. Aggressive apps annoy me and Norton’s developers have done a fantastic job making sure device performance isn’t sacrificed in the name of security. It’s a delicate balance, but they’ve managed to do it and do it well.
When it comes to creating passwords, many of us just aim to make them strong enough and unique enough without much thought to other security measures. And some of us just have one password we use for all of our accounts. Let’s be real, that’s not the best practice in internet security. You do have an obligation to your own digital citizenship and to be smart when it comes to creating passwords. There are a few things you can do to make your passwords even more secure and I want to dish on some easy ways to do this. One of the most significant issues in the digital world is weak passwords. Sadly enough, passwords are like our last line of defense against hackers attempting to access our personal information. Most users are unaware of the importance of the strength of passwords. And because of this, we make it too easy for hackers to invade our personal digital spaces.
Ways To Make Passwords Strong
We all know that we need to create strong passwords for our online accounts, but sometimes it can be hard to come up with something that is both unique (at least unique enough not to be hacked) and easy to remember. With how many times we’re asked to create a new online account for this service and that app, it’s no wonder we get lazy with password creation. Here are some tips for creating passwords that will keep your information safe.
Password Tip #1: Make it Long
Hackers try every possible way to invade once they have fixed their gaze on an account (or service). The first thing they want to do is guess your password. This step is done by taking help from all the data they have collected about you. You’d be shocked how much personal information of yours is on the internet widely available to the public. Do I like that? No. But that’s a debate and an issue for another day.
One clever tactic they use is something called Brute Force Attack. Each password is nothing but a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers. Brute Force Attack is a type of hacking where a hacker uses a “brute force”, or an automated trial and error method, to discover the password or key to a system. Hackers use brute force attacks when they don’t have any other way to access the system or if they want to take over a large number of accounts quickly. A brute force attack can be very time-consuming and expensive for hackers, so most of them only use this method as a last resort. However, brute force attacks can be very successful and lucrative, especially if the hacker has access to a large amount of computing power.
For this method to be successful for hackers though, a computer program tries every single combination possible. The shorter your password, the easier it is for the program to find it. So, make sure to make your passwords as long as possible.
Password Tip #2: Make it Nonsense
Your password should be long but being long is not enough. Make it so nonsensical that it means nothing in the world at all. You might be thinking, “What’s that going to do?” Quite a lot.
A few years ago, online data breaching and illegal account invasion got the limelight on social media platforms. It’s one reason why 2FA really picked up steam.
I remember watching a few YouTube channels doing pranks on people for the sake of both entertainment and awareness. They would go to random people in public and ask them a few questions about their passwords. Most of the people disclosed their passwords by answering a few questions. And these YouTubers were able to easily hack them. Why? It’s because most of us make passwords out of special memories, events, dates, and things like that.
My favorite password principle: No Normal Words! For example, I’ve created a personal (and effective) way to make hard-to-crack passwords. It’s easy to remember, yet hard to crack. Use the syntax of the internet as part of your password. Don’t use “jokersucks”, but something like “WWW.j0k3r$uck$.c0m!”.
Password Tip #3: Do Not Renew Every Time
We are flooded with passwords. There comes a point in our lives where it is physically and mentally impossible to remember every single password because the number of accounts you hold is many. So what most people do is come up with one password and recycle it whenever they need a new one. From their point of view, it reduces the probability of losing a password. They’re trying to make it easy on themselves. I get it. But from a security perspective, it’s probably the dumbest thing you could do.
Why? It significantly increases the chance of getting all their accounts hacked after having only one getting hacked. If you find it challenging to manage all passwords, use a good password manager like LastPass. It will help you in today’s digital world of massive vulnerability.
Should I Use A Password Manager?
We’ve gone into quite a bit of detail about the essential use of having a password manager. When you figure most people have at least 50 online accounts, it’s a smart idea to use a password manager. In my opinion, LastPass is the best password manager I’ve ever used. It has everything that you need in one place: easy access, encryption, and security tools like two-factor authentication or secure sharing with family members and colleagues.
MFA is an abbreviation of Multi-Factor Authentication. It involves not just typing in your password but proving it for the second time by Google Authentication or some other way. Hackers cannot invade your account when it requires two-factor authentication.
The Bottom Line!
A study was conducted on the passwords of users. The results showed that most users use the simplest passwords, with 111111, QWERTY, 123456, and abc123 being the most commonly used ones. In fact, it is estimated that 24% of Americans have used words like “password” in their passwords! Don’t be that person, please. Make your password long and nonsense for absolute security. And just practice common sense digital governance.
There are many reasons why browser launches and page loads may be slower than usual. You just opened tons of tabs, right? However, a ready-to-use browser should work well on all computers.
If you use several extensions, you will notice a change in your browser’s memory/CPU footprint and, in some cases, how you interact with a website. This is often one of the things that can cause your browser to slow down.
How Do Browser Extensions Work
Today, most web browsers support extensions that add, modify, or remove certain features of the browser itself or the website. Browser extensions are small pieces of software that can modify and enhance the functionality of your browser. I love them. They are usually created by third-party developers and they can do anything from adding new features to your browser to changing the way existing websites look. You can install the extension to block ads and tracking, add features to your website, track item prices, change new tab pages in your browser, and correct spelling.
While browser extensions can be very useful, they can also pose a security risk. That’s because they often have access to all of the same data that your browser does, including sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers. As a result, it’s important to be careful about which browser extensions you install and to only install extensions from reputable sources.
What’s The Big Deal With Browser Extensions Then?
Many users are worried that browser extensions will slow down their computers. The slowdown depends on the browser and depends on the extension as well. If Chrome is slow, you may not have a problem with another browser. The extension usually causes a slowdown, so the developer’s responsibility is to optimize the extension as much as possible (I’ve seen some pretty crappy code in some popular extensions, which cause speed and performance issues). Do extensions slow down your browser? Yes, but other factors play a significant role in slowing down.
One of the main culprits in slowing down your processes is extensions overall increase website CPU usage. Many Chrome and other browser extensions can run extra code on every page you open, although well-built extensions only run code where necessary. I’ve found many of the free versions of browser extensions to have poorly written code. How the code is written and when it runs is vital to performance. Running additional codes all the time can have a noticeable effect on your browsing speed and performance.
What Did We Find In Our Research and Analysis
We ran really basic research and analysis on some popular browser extensions and this is what we found. Some extensions use more CPU than others. Surprise! Not really.
Honey (a very popular shopping extension) adds 636 ms of CPU time during installation and use
Grammarly (the most popular and most used grammar checker) adds 300ms! If I did not use Grammarly every single day, this one would be gone. The added benefit of having this extension far outweighs the performance lag that accompanies it. However…if another grammar-checker extension came along with similar features to Grammarly, I’d consider uninstalling Grammarly and giving that new one a look.
Evernote Clipper and StayFocused, add over 200ms each.
Of all the content blockers tested…
Ublock used the least amount of CPU to load the tested page (about 131ms).
AdGuard, AdBlock, and AdBlock Plus consumed more CPU in the tests performed to test extension impact.
Extensions that do not use the best methods and codes (extensions designed for a particular website but designed to run on all websites) have a disproportionate impact on performance. That’s one reason why I think Honey is a resource hog. Personally, I think Chrome extension developers should avoid running content scripts on document start and aim to make the contained JavaScript as small as possible. Usually, developers are one of the issues. It’s easy to fix a small code or everything that makes an extension heavy. That’s one reason I like the LastPass browser extension.
No. As I alluded to earlier, you have to do your own cost-benefit ratio analysis on an extension by extension basis. Many people will install an ad blocker because they don’t want to see ads and they think ads slow down the browsing experience. BUT…what they don’t realize is that 90% of the ad blockers out there slow your browsing experience down more than it would if you had just seen the ads in the first place. Here are some of the other general results we found in testing:
The average extension does not significantly impact the performance of browsers. Now…this all relative. If you have 4-5 Chrome user accounts and each one has 5-6 opened tabs running 5-6 browser extensions…well then…there will be significant performance issues.
The more extensions you use, the more significant the impact on the browser’s performance. Again…only enable the extensions you use.
Some extensions, especially those with page-by-page actions, have a significant impact on the performance and speed of the browser.
A Helpful Tip For Those Who Use (And Love) Browser Extensions
Google Chrome has a reputation for slowing down your PC by using most of its RAM and CPU. This is especially true if you have extensions open and there are some additional tabs on the side.
Therefore, it is advisable to switch to another web browser, such as Opera GX. This browser is based on the same Chromium engine as Google Chrome, all Chrome extensions are compatible with Opera GX. So…if you’re one of those individuals who LOVES using browser extensions, I would highly recommend experimenting with Opera GX.
Are Browser Extensions Worth It?
Browser extensions can be a great way to customize your web browsing experience and add new features to your favorite websites. While some extensions are designed for specific tasks, such as ad-blocking or translation, others are more general-purpose and can be used to personalize your browser in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking for ways to boost your productivity or simply make your browser look more unique, there’s definitely an extension out there that can help. Best of all, many browser extensions are free to install and use. I love them. But are they worth it? You might be surprised at how much they improve your web browsing experience. For business and productivity, I think browser extensions are amazing. Most of the ones I use are heavy on utility (they are a means to an end) and I usually shy away from those that are for show or trying to make my browser pretty.
Installing many extensions and unwanted plugins will affect your browsing experience regardless of whether they are enabled. That’s why you should be judicious and tactful with them. However, if you have many activated extensions, the effect is even worse. Disabling extensions and enabling only one extension at a time may speed up your browser.
If you’re like most people, you most likely rely on your iPhone to keep you connected with the world (both personal and business). Whether you’re looking for the best antivirus app or just want to make sure your data is secure, these tips will help keep you protected. Apple has designed the iPhones to be secure (and Apple’s tech is phenomenal), BUT…this does not mean they don’t need any antivirus protection. iPhones are still exposed to multiple threats, including suspicious links, websites, unauthorized applications, data theft, etc.
As an iPhone user who cares about security and protecting your personal data, you should seriously invest in a reliable antivirus application to avoid data theft and cyber-attacks. Below are a few antivirus applications you can consider to keep your iPhone safe from malware attacks.
Norton Mobile Security
If you are looking for an easy-to-use antivirus application for your iPhone with multiple other features, then Norton Mobile Security should be on top of your priority list. It has many valuable features, including web protection that attacks malicious and dangerous links in text messages, emails, applications, and browsers.
Norton Mobile Security comes with a VPN that helps you secure your network and makes you anonymous. I love the idea of having an extra layer of VPN for security. Other features include Wi-Fi scanning that protects you from untrusted public internet connections. Device security warns you when your operating system requires to be updated. It also protects you from malicious text messages.
The most significant feature of NMS is dark web monitoring, which distinguishes it from other applications. Norton continuously scans the dark web for your personal information utilizing Lifelock technologies. It could contain various information elements like your email address, bank details, insurance details, etc. This and the VPN features are why I think Norton is the best antivirus app for iPhones.
You can opt for Norton Mobile Security with one device subscription ($14.99/Year). However, it offers another version called Norton 360 deluxe ($49.99/Year) that connects up to five devices.
TotalAV is another reliable antivirus software for iPhone users. The best part about it is its easy-to-use nature, making it a good fit for beginners and non-tech-savvy individuals. Therefore, if you are looking for a simple and user-friendly antivirus, TotalAV Mobile Security is a lifesaver.
It contains multiple valuable features, including protection from malicious links, monitors data breaching, photo clean-up, and device tracking. This application’s best feature is device tracking, which allows you to effortlessly track your iPhone in case you lost it or it got stolen. Granted, you do have the Find My app on your iOS devices, but this additional coverage creates an ever tighter level of security for your iPhone.
Another valuable feature of TotalAV is its VPN, which lets you securely access servers worldwide. It has a fast network, allowing you to stream your favorite shows without facing a slowdown in your web connection. We’ve written quite a bit about VPNs and we love that more apps are adding VPNs to their value prop.
TotalAV would be a great choice if you are looking for a simple antivirus for your iPhone with a competitive integrated VPN. You can also opt for its web protection services combined with its internet security packages that range from $29.00/year and connect up to 6 devices, including Android, iOS, and Windows. In terms of overall security value, I think it’s hard for any other app to compete again TotalAV.
Here is another promising malware and virus protection application for your iPhone. McAfee Mobile Security is a valuable combination of multiple features and a reliable VPN. The most significant part of this antivirus app is it does not affect your iPhone’s battery health despite constantly monitoring data breaches in the background. Besides, it is an easy-to-use application and every feature is effortlessly accessible.
The significant security features of McAfee Mobile Security include a data-breaching monitor, a Wi-Fi scanner, a VPN with unlimited data (this alone is worth the price), and circumvents dangerous links from text messages, websites, and screen notifications. The VPN keeps you secure while browsing on unsecured internet connections.
The drawback of McAfee Mobile Security is the most recently updated version on its basic plan does not provide you with anti-theft features and a secure media vault that once was available. They’re going to make you pay a little extra for it. You can get these services for a single device with a yearly subscription. However, other versions are also available that let you secure up to 10 devices, including Windows, Android, and Apple. This version’s yearly subscription begins from around $30/year.
Avira’s free security mobile app is perfect for beginners. It’s going to get you familiar with the industry and gives you a chance to really familiarize yourself with threats and security language. It is free antivirus and malware protection for iPhone users and has great privacy protection features. The most significant feature of Avira Free Mobile Security is its Privacy Manager, which prevents Apple from saving your conversation with Siri on its servers. Other features include anti-theft, a VPN (yes…a FREE VPN), photo clean-up, call blocker, breach monitor (Premium Version), anti-spam (Premium Version), Phone tracking, and Phone lock.
The free version has limited VPN data and does not provide anti-spam and data-breaching monitors. BUT…you can opt for the premium version of Avira (Avira Prime) starting from $39.99/year and connect up to five devices across all operating systems.
As our lives move increasingly online, it’s more important than ever to take steps to protect our devices from viruses and other malware. While it’s true that the iOS for our iPhones is a fairly secure platform, there are still some risks that come with using the internet on your iPhone. That’s why many people choose to install an antivirus app on their devices. But do you really need an antivirus for your iPhone?
Since iPhones’ operating systems can escape malware to some extent, you still need an antivirus with some extra features. And just looking at the price of some of these (heck…Avira is free), you’re literally talking pennies a day to get that added security benefit for your iPhone. What do I recommend? Thoroughly do your research on antivirus regarding additional features and their compatibility with other operating systems to make a wise decision. Experiment with a free version (or look for a free trial). After all, merely a single virus can ruin your whole experience.
Do you have an Android smartphone? Did you know phones can be at risk of viruses? Just like your computer, your Android phone can be at risk of getting viruses and other malware. With malicious software and hacks on the rise, we wanted to discuss the best antivirus options for Android smartphones. We will also provide tips on how to keep your phone safe from viruses and malware.
Smartphones are an integral part of our routine life. Previously they were merely a source of communication. But the introduction of the internet has transformed smartphones into mini PCs. You can send and receive important data, including files, images, documents, etc. The availability of such essential data puts your android smartphone at the risk of malware and data-theft activities.
It makes your android smartphone susceptible to viruses and requires a reliable antivirus application. Though Google kicks out suspicious applications through the play store, you should not merely rely on it and it’s best to invest in a promising antivirus application. Below are listed a few antivirus software that lets you protect your phone from malware, and some of them contain multiple other unique features.
Bitdefender Mobile Security
It is the most reliable antivirus for android smartphones, among other available options. It provides robust protection against malware and data-theft activities without draining much battery of your android smartphone. It contains multiple features, including an app lock that lets you lock up certain apps through a PIN.
Another versatile feature of Bitdefender is “Scam Alert,” which warns you about suspicious links in messages and screen notifications. It also possesses web protection that warns you about dangerous sites that might steal your passwords and other sensitive data. This added benefit is one of the features I absolutely love about Bitdefender. You also get a VPN if you choose Bitdfender’s services, but it is a limited version. You have to pay extra if you want more data.
If you want to install Bitdefender only for your Android device, it will cost you about $14.99 annually. That’s definitely a reasonable price. However, another version of Bitdefender Total Security enables you to install this software on up to five devices, including PCs, Macs, Laptops, iPhones, and Android tablets and smartphones. It costs you worth $44.99 for the first year and $89.99 per year after that. It’s close, but Bitdefender Mobile Security is my choice for the best antivirus app for android.
Norton 360 Mobile Security is another top-notch antivirus for android smartphones. With Norton 360, you will get everything integrated into a single application, including an antivirus, a VPN, and an ID protector. Norton 360 escapes 100 percent of the malware without compromising the battery health of your phone or its performance. If you’re someone who struggles with battery usage issues, this is the antivirus option to keep your eye on.
Besides malware, it also alerts you from dangerous links in text messages and suspicious web pages and warns you about public Wi-Fi networks. Norton 360 possesses another versatile feature, and that is an app advisor. Norton’s app advisor lets you know about risky apps before installing them from the play store and warns you about existing applications on your phone.
Previously Norton was a free antivirus software, but now it comes with a monthly subscription. The subscription ranges from $15 per year for a single device subscription. Furthermore, you can also opt-in for Norton 360 Deluxe, which lets you connect with up to five devices and costs you about $35 for the first year and $105 after that. Again…if you’re looking for antivirus protection on multiple devices, I love this option.
Subscribing to the standard version of Norton and not the basic version allows you unlimited VPN and dark web monitoring. Features like call blocking and device recovery (stolen) are available on each Norton 360 Mobile Security version.
McAfee Security has replaced its free version known as Mobile Security. This new version contains VPN integrated into a single app. To use its services, you must subscribe to it since it does not allow you a free version.
McAfee Security is another reliable antivirus for android smartphones that can escape 100 percent of the malware. The protection from malware runs in the background instead of manually running it to perform a virus scan. Can you run into performance issues with McAfee running in the background? Yes. But you have to weigh your options and do your own benefit-risk analysis on if you really want to be at risk with viruses on your phone.
Another feature of McAfee is a Wi-Fi scanner that alerts you about public Wi-Fi networks if it is not safe. We’ve talked exhaustively about using public Wi-Fi networks (and even your friend’s Wi-Fi for that matter). This little feature is a nice added bonus I love. You will also get the option of using a VPN if you connect to a risky Wi-Fi network. For that option of unlimited data for VPN, you need to set your subscription to auto-renewal mode. Otherwise, you will merely get 500 MB of data for VPN per month.
You can also keep track of your personal information like email addresses, bank accounts, social identities, and many more using McAfee Security, which warns you about possible data breaches. However, you need to set your subscription to auto-renewal. Otherwise, you can merely control ten emails.
There were some features like call blocking, warning about dangerous links, app locking, and anti-theft features that are missing that I think would really move this app up there with Bitdefender and Norton 360 if it had them. However, if you are looking for a reliable antivirus only, McAfee is a perfect fit for you. It’ll cost you $49.99 annually and connects up to ten devices, including Windows, iOS, Android, and Macs.
No…Not All Antivirus Apps For Android Are Created Equal
There are plenty of options for antivirus for your android smartphones. However, you need to be extra careful while investing in any. Be diligent in finding the right one for you. AV-Comparatives tested 250 antivirus applications for Android smartphones. Less than a third of all applications worked against malware. Shocker? Not really. Antivirus software is a dime a dozen nowadays and most hardly do their intended job effectively. Out of the ones we reviewed, I wouldn’t trust any but these three if I was going to download an antivirus app for my android phone.
