Android has built-in security features that dramatically reduce the frequency and impact of app security issues. The system has a design so that you can generally create your applications with system default and file permissions and avoid difficult security decisions.
A recent study found that almost 87% of all Android devices are unsafe.These vulnerabilities arise due to a lack of security updates. Any device is never safe when connected to the internet. Security is a significant concern these days, and many third-party applications have made efforts to improve it.
Does Android Need Security Apps?
Most people know that computers need protection against spyware, Trojans, and other types of malware. However, are smartphones vulnerable to the same attacks? Most smartphones are connected to the internet, which is the main culprit for most offences.
They are also used to open questionable emails and websites. These are all frequent targets of hackers and criminals. Therefore, you would think that you should protect an Android smartphone like a personal computer.
The problem with this logic is that most viruses come with a program to attack Windows or Mac operating systems. Android phones use a completely different operating system. This means that a virus designed for a Windows operating system cannot necessarily harm an Android phone, even if it is deep within the processor.
Infected apps are the biggest threat to Android smartphones. Infected apps can steal information from phones or disable them entirely. Currently, only a few dozen infected apps target Android operating systems.
Latest Android operating systems are not affected by infected applications because they are modified from the original system in such a way that malicious apps do not know how to access the new version. If you have a phone with an older system, avoid infection by not downloading applications from untested providers.
Apps You Should Install On Your Android Device
If you Google the term security applications, you will get a variety of lists of antivirus and antimalware applications. Tons of apps can increase your security. Most of them are quite easy to use and not very resource-intensive. Here are the best security apps currently available on Android. We also recommend that you set up a lock screen to maximize your security.
Avast Mobile Security
This is a great application to help keep your Android phone safe from viruses associated with many other threats.
Avast is one of the most trusted free antiviruses for Android devices. But free antivirus has its limitations, so you can get a premium antivirus for advance protection. A list of popular and trusted variants are here. It warns you when spyware or adware is installed and violates your privacy. The detection rate of viruses are less in the free version when compared to a premium antivirus.
Bouncer
Price: $ 0.99
A bouncer is one of the newer security apps. This will manage your permissions. Is that how it works? Sometimes you may want to grant temporary permission access to an app, but you don’t want the app to be allowed all the time.
The Bouncer does this for you. For example, you can enable location on Facebook, and Bouncer will ask if you only want it temporarily. The authorization will be automatically removed later.
This allows you to use the applications with a little more freedom without having to worry about them pinging things like your location throughout the day. It’s only $ 0.99, and we think it’s worth it.
Android Q improves app permissions, but Bouncer is developing even more right now.
Firefox Focus
Free
Firefox Focus is a privacy browser. It is an Android browser that is always in an incognito mode that does not record your activity for an extended time. You can delete them at any time, whenever you want.
You can also remove trackers and ads. That way, websites won’t be able to see you there. It is one of the newer security applications.
It also won’t block everything. The app is entirely free, with no in-app purchases.
It is more private than most browsers. But that doesn’t protect everything.
Glasswire
Price: Free / up to $ 9.99
GlassWire is one of the newer security applications. Here you can see which apps are consuming your data. You will get a live graph showing the amount of data used by your apps. You will also receive notifications to notify you when a new application is ingesting data.
That way, you can see how much data each of your apps is using. It’s also a great way to see strange background activity. Its primary use is to make sure you don’t hit your data limit. Still, seeing a random app you didn’t know is pulling something off the web can be extremely revealing.
Signal Private Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.
Price: free (each)
There are a small but growing number of messaging apps that use at least one form of encryption. Some of the most popular options are Telegram, Signal Private Messenger, and WhatsApp.
Each has different levels of encryption, and some people trust one brand over another. We are not here to make that decision for you, but everyone has encrypted messages. Signal also adds things like video calls, while WhatsApp has the essential functions. Regardless, you can’t go wrong with simple encrypted messages. All are free at the time of writing.
Find my device on Google
Price: Free
Google’s Find My Device was previously Android device manager. The name has changed. However, the application continues to do the same. It Keeps track of your phone’s location. The app can also play sounds to make searching your phone easier.
You can also wipe your device, display a message, and lock your phone remotely. The ability to find a lost phone is vital in protecting your privacy. We really like the data eraser tool. It will keep you safe even if you never get your device back. It’s completely free, no ads, and no in-app purchases. This makes it a good choice for security applications.
So all the above apps mentioned are the ones you should install on your device to keep your security safe and sound!