This manual approach isn’t what you want, but it doesn’t apply to all free antivirus apps.Īlthough you might be trying to save money by searching for free Android antivirus, do bear in mind is that a paid subscription usually covers multiple devices, so for a few dollars or pounds per month you can install comprehensive protection on your Windows and Android devices (and, usually iPhones, iPads and Macs too). Instead, they wait until you open the app and press the ‘scan’ button to check for any problems.

This means they’re not constantly watching out for malware. One drawback of certain free Android antivirus apps is a lack of real-time monitoring. The same differences apply: free apps don’t include all the features you get in paid-apps. In many cases they’ll help protect your identity as well.Īs with Windows, there’s a choice of completely free antivirus apps for Android as well as those you need to subscribe to (even though the app itself is free to download and install). The good news is that running a top-notch antivirus app on your Android phone (or tablet) will help to prevent these nasties from getting anywhere near your device. And viruses aren’t simply an annoyance, displaying unwanted adverts: the people – the criminals – who make this malware are coming up with ever-more inventive ways to hack your phone and – ultimately – steal your identify, money and more.

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