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Mobile Security

It should not be much of a surprise that the mobile technology revolution has spawned a subculture of viruses designed to cause malicious mischief in mobile tools and toys. A cell phone virus can function in much of the same ways as a conventional computer virus, installing harmful files on your phone. The popularity of proprietary operating systems has somewhat controlled the spread of mobile targeted viruses and other malware because viruses need to be designed to attack specific operating platforms, but that does not mean you are safe without protection.

Viruses can attack mobile devices in a number of ways: Often they are hidden in email attachments like photos or games. When you install and open the attachment, you infect your device. Bluetooth devices are another good vehicle for infection. The effortless two-way communication that makes Bluetooth technology so darned convenient also makes it easy for an infected Bluetooth enabled phone to connect to any other Bluetooth devices within range. Once connected, it can trick the user into downloading the virus onto a clean phone. Surfing suspicious websites can net you an infection also.

Before you get too engrossed in the fun features of your mobile device, make sure your equipment and private information is protected. When it comes to being secure on the road, the options come in a few different flavours. From antivirus apps that can locate your lost or stolen phone to full featured apps that also encrypt your folders and files, the best mobile antivirus is the one that suits your unique requirements. You can find comprehensive protection for free, or pay a nominal fee for some nice extras.

Most antivirus software is equipment specific, matched to the operating system built into the device. Mobile devices require compatible antivirus protection. Open source operating systems like Google's Android or Microsoft's Windows Mobile may offer more potential antivirus products but still lock you out of some applications whose names you may recognise or whose products you have used before.

Mobile Security Applications

The first step in choosing the best mobile antivirus is to discover what compatible products offer the features you want. This brief primer will give you an idea of some of the major players in the mobile security or antivirus protection market. Typically, antivirus programs are available for purchase with an annual subscription charge that includes regular updates, or for free (which may have limited functionality), or free to try for a limited time (eg. 30 day trial period). Below are some worthwhile free applications that you may want to consider!

Antivirus For Android Devices

360 Security Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust antivirus suite
360 Security endeavours to care for your mobile devices by offering a suite of real time antivirus and optimization tools. 360 Security scans your device for malware, viruses, and other system vulnerabilities then presents this information about the vulnerabilities it has detected. Extra 360 Security utilities claim to also clean app caches and free up memory which it they say can lead to an increase in performance. Other utilities worth mentioning include anti-theft and find my device, secure vault, text message encryption, and app manager.

Avast Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust antivirus suite
Avast Antivirus automatically scans and secures against spyware, malware, viruses, and the install of other unwanted apps. Safely secure your device with Wi-Fi vulnerability protection and unwanted privacy phishing prevention. Avast also provides other useful security utilities such as Access Rights and App Permissions, App Locking with a PIN, and Call Blocker for safeguarding your privacy. Web Shield scans and blocks malware infected links for privacy and safe web browsing while Call Blocker blocks callers you do not want to communicate with.
* Extra feature APPS such as VPN and Anti-Theft separately purchased.

AVG Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust antivirus suite
AVG antivirus runs quietly in the background to protect you from the latest spyware, malware, viruses, unsafe apps and settings, unwanted callers, and other vicious threats. In the event that your phone or tablet goes missing, all is not lost, you are still in control, just visit the AVG Anti-Theft website from another device to remotely lock your missing device, find its location on Google Maps, and even blast an alarm at full volume. If you believe your mobile may be gone for good, you can even remotely wipe it to prevent others accessing your private data.
* Extra PRO features are free for 30 days and upgrade to paid PRO version is available.

Avira Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust antivirus suite
Avira Antivirus is an industry leading antivirus application that endeavours to keeps your device malware free, secure your data, and protect your privacy, all while using minimal resource consumption. The Avira antivirus real time scanning engine’s self learning artificial intelligence protects you from a plethora of threats and provides advanced malware removal abilities. Now you can manage your security across all devices from an online dashboard where you can employ utilities such as anti-theft, browser safety, and identity safeguard, thereby protecting you while you surf, shop and bank online.
* Extra features are available with antivirus PRO version.

Bitdefender Antivirus Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust antivirus suite
Bitdefender Antivirus employs high detection engines coupled with the ability of in the cloud scanning to keep devices safe from malicious attack all while having minimal impact on resources. Instead of regularly having to download virus signatures, Bitdefender Antivirus applies in the cloud services to check for the most recent safeguards to outbreaks. Bitdefender Antivirus ensures your devices remain clean by automatically scanning apps immediately upon install, and the on demand scan may be performed any time to ensure that all the apps installed are legitimate and safe.
* Extra features are available with mobile security PAID version.

BullGuard Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust antivirus suite
BullGuard Antivirus is a cloud based antivirus engine that prevents adware, malware, viruses, and install of other unwanted apps. This security utility also scans new apps for malicious code that may be hiding within the app. As BullGuard is a cloud-based application you will always benefit from the most up to date protection with the need to constantly download to update. With the inclusion of a full suite of antitheft tools means that you never need to worry about your device falling into the wrong hands, you can always remotely locate your device, lock your device, or wipe all data.
* Extra features are available with upgrade to PREMIUM version.

Security For IOS Devices

360 Security Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust security suite
360 Security iOS version appears to lack various major features of the Windows and Android versions and seems to be more of a security suite and photo vault with minimal antivirus abilities. 360 Security IOS can scan for threats but is unable to automatically remove them and it does not offer real time protection. The process manager functions well, and the vault feature allows you to store data in a password protected environment that is invisible to others.

Avira Mobile Security
Free lightweight and robust security suite
Avira iOS version appears to lack various major features of the Windows and Android versions and seems to be more of a security suite and photo vault with minimal antivirus abilities. Avira Vault secures your private data including passwords and credit card details, photos, and videos, by placing them behind a PIN protected digital vault. These days an alarming percentage of all emails are compromised, the new Identity Safeguard feature permits checking if your email account has been breached.

The best mobile antivirus app on the market can still leave you vulnerable to new threats if you do not develop safe practices when using your mobile devices. Like locking your car door or engaging the emergency brake on a hill, some precautions should become habits that you do not have to stop and think about. Consider developing these safe practices:
* Avoid installing pirated software.
* Update your antivirus software regularly.
* Be on the lookout for antivirus patches and upgrades.
* Be careful of any app, email attachment or other download that comes from an unknown source.

Now that you understand a little about the mobile antivirus products on the market, check your mobile device to clear up any potential compatibility issues and compose your wish list. There are quite a few free options, and even if you have to pay a nominal fee for protection, this is one bargain you cannot afford to pass up.

For those that can not afford expensive security subscription software for their personal computer or Windows Device, [Free PC Security Software!] should provide you with sufficient protection against intrusion and unauthorized use of your resources.