Which Android Security Tools Are Worth Your Time?
As Android smartphones and tablets grow in popularity, it's no surprise that the number of malware outbreaks is growing. Mobile antimalware apps can give your phone or tablet an extra layer of protection--but which ones do the job? Independent security testing lab AV-Test evaluated 41 virus scanners for Android, including those by mainstream security companies like Norton and Trend Micro. AV-Test used the Android emulator built into the Android SDK and ran each of the apps through a series of malware detection tests. To ensure that everything lined up, all the results from the emulator were tested on a real device.
Only 7 of the 41 virus scanners had detection rates above 90 percent, with over half of the remaining apps having detection rates under 40 percent. The top 7 apps were Avast Mobile Security, Dr. Web Anti-virus Light, F-Secure Mobile Security, IKARUS Mobile Security Lite, Lookout Mobile Security, Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite, and Zoner AntiVirus Free. Out of those 7, Kaspersky and F-Secure had the highest detection rates, followed by Avast.
