Android Antivirus Apps Are Useless — Here’s What to Do Instead. We learned that most of the antivirus apps on Android don’t even do anything to check apps for malicious behavior.
The new AVG antivirus interface is very user friendly and easy to use. The new 2019 AVG free antivirus comes with two main features and offers basic protection. One option is Computer protection and another option is Web & Email protection.
Computer Protection:You can quickly scan your computer for viruses, malware, toolbar that you do not need or you do not want, extensions that stores in browser and you do not want, identify and fix computer performance etc. Web & Email Protected:Web browsing protections that scans websites links and protect from any online threat. It scans any incoming or outgoing email. it also has spam filter that detects spam emails with harmful attached.
- Average User Ratings: 4 stars
- CNET Editors’ Rating: Very Good
- Total Downloads: Over 565 million
- Operating Systems: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
Note: The above information may get changes and you can get the updated information from the following link: http://download.cnet.com/AVG-AntiVirus-Free/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
How to download and Install?
AVG Free antivirus download and install is very simple. Just follow the following easy steps and you can do it easily by yourself. Please note that, the following steps can change anytime with software update or add/remove features.
AVG Free antivirus download and install is very simple. Just follow the following easy steps and you can do it easily by yourself. Please note that, the following steps can change anytime with software update or add/remove features.
- Go to the Avg Free website (
http://www.avg.com/us-en/homepage). - Click on Free Download and wait for the Save As window
- Save the exe file on the Desktop.
- Double click on the downloaded file from the Desktop and wait till AVG installer appears.
- Wait till complete Downloading installation components.
- Click on CONTINUE button under Welcome to AntiVirus Free window
- Click on INSTALL BASIC and wait till Installation of AVG is completed 100%.
- The installation window should close automatically after complete successfully and AVG icon should show on the desktop.
- Double click on the AVG icon from the desktop and AVG interface should open
Perform a full scan and do necessary settings form the Options or from the AVG user interface.
Summary: Whenever your Android device is connected to the internet, hackers could take over your device to steal your sensitive information or use the device as a tool in their own arsenal for other attacks. To ensure that you will not become a victim of these threats, you are going to want to install a high-quality antivirus software app onto the device. After testing every antivirus service currently available for Android devices, I have found that Avast offers the highest level of protection, most competitive pricing, and easiest-to-use software.
To protect your Android device with Avast Antivirus, click here now.
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Why is An Antivirus for Android So Important?
In 2018, Android has taken the market by storm and is currently one of the most popular operating systems for mobile devices. More devices are coming online every single day, too. If you are like so many other people who use their Android device for convenience, you could be running the risk of having your identity stolen and the device used to commit crimes against other people. Because Android makes it so simple to shop online, and store passwords to your most commonly accessed websites, the amount of sensitive information stored on these devices is immense. Hackers prey on the fact that you are storing sensitive information on your Android tablet or smartphone and are constantly finding new ways to hijack your device. If they do gain access to the device, they could steal your credit card information and bank account logins and passwords to steal your identity. They could also use your device to help with attacks on other people, which could have you in hot water with law enforcement agencies. The only way to ensure that you are not falling victim to these crimes and your Android device is protected is to use a high-quality antivirus software. A good antivirus app will encrypt the sensitive information that’s store on your device so, even if hackers access it, the information cannot be viewed. The antivirus app will also protect your device from new threats that exist because app developers release new apps without realizing the potential threats they’ve created. You can learn which antivirus software I recommend now by clicking here.
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Antivirus Software Testing Methodology
My review process was conducted by testing the effectiveness of each service’s software using the Anti-Malware Testfile that’s developed by the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research and the Computer Antivirus Research Organization. You can read an academic paper that discusses how the Testfile simulates malware by clicking here. The Testfile being used has been designed solely for the sole purpose of testing the accuracy of different antivirus apps and ensure they will provide warnings for known viruses. Testfile is currently the only piece of software that is being developed to test antivirus apps because the tools previously developed by Spy Car are no longer available.
How I Judged Their Performance
Criteria #1: Is It Easy to Use?
It is unfortunate that software designed to keep you protected and safe ends up being hard to install, configure, and use on a regular basis. That’s why I’ve tested each service’s software to determine how easy and intuitive it is to use, and ranked any software that is bulky and hard to use lower in my review process.
Criteria #2: Do They Offer a Refund Policy?
I want to ensure that you can safely take my recommendations without worrying about potentially risking your money on a service that doesn’t provide the same experience for you that it did for me. To ensure that you are protected while taking my recommendations, I have ranked any service that does not offer a refund policy lower in my review process.
Criteria #3: Can You Protect Multiple Devices?
If you are like so many other people, you probably own more than one Android device that you use to connect to the internet, and need a service that allows you to protect them all. Many companies will require you to purchase additional licenses for each device you own, which can quickly add up and cost substantial amounts of money. Services that allow you to protect multiple Android devices with a single subscription to their antivirus software have been ranked higher during my review process.
Criteria #4: Does It Slow Down your Machine?
One of the biggest complaints that I’ve heard from people about their antivirus software is that it makes their machine slow down and become unusable at times. I have tested the software provided by each service to ensure it does not require high-end hardware to function properly, and that it will not cause your Android device to become unusable. Any service that has developed software that is bulky and causes Android devices to lag or become unusable have been ranked substantially lower in my review process.
Criteria #5: Does It Create False Warnings?
False warnings can be frustrating for users because it causes them to believe that their device has been infected and their sensitive information is at risk of being stolen. Poorly developed antivirus software is notorious for giving false warnings on objects it deems to be harmful, when those objects could be something as simple as installing a new game. To ensure you’re not dealing with constant false warnings, I have tested each service that I recommend, verifying 100% accuracy in the warnings it gives to users.
Criteria #6: Does It Protect Against 0-Day Attacks?
O-day attacks, for those unfamiliar with the term, refers to attacks that are being generated daily that antivirus software companies may not currently be aware of. Many antivirus software developers will keep their software updated to help stay ahead of these threats, and a good antivirus software will be able to properly identify the threats as they happen. Any service that can properly identify 0-day threats and attacks have been ranked higher in my review process than services that provide software that has a harder time tracking new threats.
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Best Antivirus for Android in 2018
By now, you can see that there is a significant amount of work that goes into identifying high-quality antivirus apps and separating them from the low-quality apps being pushed to Android users.
I have gone to great lengths to work through the list of antivirus software that’s currently available for Android devices and have found that there are 3 services that set themselves apart from the competition.
Each of the 3 services that have made their way to the front of my review process are listed below, from best to worst.
#1 – Avast Internet Security – 9.4 / 10 – Voted Best Antivirus for Android devices in 2018
Avast Antivirus is one of those services that have easily separated themselves from their competition to claim the top spot in my list of recommendations.
PROs
The antivirus software currently being developed by Avast is simple to install and configure, and made it easy to protect my Android device. When you subscribe to Avast, you are using an email address that can be reused on multiple devices without being forced to purchase additional licenses for each additional device. While testing their software, I didn’t experience any issues with my device slowing down or becoming unresponsive while the software ran scans on the files already on the device. I also found that Avast did not have issues providing false warnings for files that could have been potential problems but were known to be harmless.
The Avast development team is large and it’s easy to see that they devote significant resources towards developing their antivirus software and maintaining a large database of known threats.
If you have issues while using Avast on your Android device, they currently offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can easily receive a refund on your purchase price.
CONs
The one area that I noticed with Avast that could use work is their pricing. They are priced high enough to allow them to continue development of their software, but we believe the pricing could be lower.
OVERALL
When you want to keep an Android device that’s connected to the internet safe from hackers and scam-artists, Avast is currently the best antivirus software available.
If you’re looking for the absolute best antivirus software for Android devices, we recommend you get Avast Antivirus by clicking here.
#2 – BullGuard Antivirus– 7.9 / 10 – Quality Antivirus if Avast Antivirus Doesn’t Work for You.
I understand that there are countless different Android devices and some people reading this may not have the same experience using Avast that I had. For times that Avast isn’t working properly with your specific Android device, you may find that Bit Defender is a decent alternative solution.
PROs
BullGuard, like Avast, didn’t present many issues while installing the software and configuring it to work properly on my Android device. I tested their software to verify whether they would provide false warnings for objects that were truly harmless, and did have a few instances where false warnings were raised. When you subscribe to BullGuard, you will subscribe with a valid email address that can be used on multiple devices without needing to purchase additional licenses. Their development team has spent substantial time building their database of known threats, and the BullGuard software is capable of properly identifying 0-day threats and attacks.
CONs
During testing, the BullGuard software did cause my Android device to become slower than normal, especially while running full scans on the device’s storage drive. They also do not offer the same refund policy that Avast offers. Instead of providing a full 30-day refund policy.
OVERALL
When you are trying to protect an Android tablet or smartphone that is connected to the internet, Avast is currently the clear winner in my review process. However, if you find that Avast doesn’t function properly with your device, you may find that BullGuard is an alternative solution that can keep your device safe.
If you’re unable to get Avast Antivirus to work, you can protect your Android device with BullGuard by clicking here.
#s – Kapersky Antivirus – 6.4 / 10 – Adequate Performing Antivirus That Lacks Proper Protection
When you are trying to protect an Android smartphone or tablet, there are far better services available to help than what Kapersky Labs currently offers.
PROs
The Kapersky Labs antivirus software is simple to install and configure and worked on each of the different devices that I tested it on.
CONs
Once the software was installed, though, the issues that I would experience throughout the entire review process started happening, making it hard to recommend them to my readers. The software caused significant slowdowns and freezes on my device, both while scanning for any existing threats and while scanning new files that I attempted to install. You can register your Kapersky Labs software with a single email address, but are going to be required to purchase additional licenses for each additional device you want to protect. I experienced multiple false warnings while installing software that is known to be harmless, but Kapersky suggests that it’s a “learning” process their software goes through. Kapersky also does not offer a valid refund policy or money-back guarantee, but they do offer a 7-day trial period so you can find out if their software will work with your device before spending any money.
OVERALL
I have gone to extensive lengths to ensure my readers can protect their Android device, which is why it’s hard to recommend Kapersky Labs antivirus software.
If you want to find out more about the Kapersky Antivirus, you can visit their site by clicking here. (Our links offers a free trial)
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Conclusion
Whenever your Android tablet or smartphone is connected to the internet, hackers and scam-artists are constantly looking for new ways to invade your privacy and steal your sensitive information. The best way to protect your Android device in 2018 is to use an antivirus software that will keep you safe from the latest threats, like viruses, malware, and phishing attacks.