当你处于堆的顶端，大池塘里的一条大鱼，或者无论你如何描述世界上最大的操作系统^{(operating system)}，你都是被剥削的目标。骗子^(Crooks)、黑客、不满者和不法分子花费无数小时的精力试图弄清楚如何利用你和依赖你的好人。

因此，难怪有如此多的Android 防病毒和安全应用程序^{(Android antivirus and security apps)}旨在保护您和您的移动设备免受试图破坏您的智能手机，进而破坏您的隐私和生命的持续不断的危险。

杀毒软件就够了吗？

与最流行的桌面操作系统Windows一样，您的Android 设备^{(Android device)}不断受到病毒、恶意软件和其他安全威胁的攻击，这些威胁主要用于窃取您最私密的信息，例如银行、信用卡^{(credit card)}和其他信用信息敏感数据，有时甚至是您的智能手机本身。

因此^(Hence)，不仅保护您的数据至关重要，而且如果有人偷窃或以其他方式拥有您的手机，您有选择权也很重要——防盗保护^{(phone – anti theft protection)}。

通常，防病毒应用程序会扫描您的设备、其软件以及传入的应用程序和数据^{(apps and data)}以查找威胁，然后消灭它们。他们执行这些功能，通常还执行一些其他安全选项，例如，免费阻止不需要的呼叫。要添加防盗和其他更重要的安全功能，有时您必须升级到付费版本，从大约 20 美元到 80 美元不等，有时不需要。

当然，防盗应用程序^{(Antitheft apps)}实际上并不能防止有人偷了你的手机，或者你把它弄丢了。但是他们可以做的是让您跟踪您的财产，或者，如果涉及到这个，将其锁定或远程擦除，从而阻止任何访问和利用您的数据的尝试。有些应用程序甚至允许您远程完全禁用或删除特定应用程序，例如您的银行和信用卡应用程序^{(banking and credit card apps)}。

其他安全功能包括查看您的应用程序并标记具有不需要^{(t require)}权限的应用程序，例如查看您的联系人、扫描您的通话记录、在地理上定位您或发送文本。例如，如果您的手机或消息应用程序想要访问您的联系人，那是一回事，但如果一个愚蠢的小食谱收集应用程序试图在您的私人数据中达到峰值，您不仅应该想知道它，而且可能会想要禁用它。

智能手机窃贼试图索取您的数据和您的设备本身的另一种方式是更换^{(way smartphone)}SIM 卡^{(SIM card)}。许多防病毒安全应用程序提供了阻止这种情况的方法，方法是在检测到SIM 卡^{(SIM card)}更改时锁定设备，或者向您发送与SIM 卡^{(SIM card)}关联的新电话号码^{(phone number)}，从而允许您发送启动所需的编码消息防盗措施以保护或擦除您的数据。

整体效果

通常，在编译这样的产品综述时，在准备工作^{(prep work)}的早期，我会安装所有这些（以及其他供考虑的）产品，并通过一系列性能和有效性基准测试来运行它们。

不过，在这种情况下，包括AV-Test^(AV-Test)、AV-Comparatives、MRG-Effitas等在内的多家第三方分析和测试公司已经不遗余力地对这些产品进行了测试。因此，除了我的测试和计时数据^{(testing and timing data)}之外，我还严重依赖独立的第三方基准测试。

我还分析了用户界面的友好性和整体可用性。这些产品中的大多数都有一个共同点，即使是那些没有进入这个列表的产品，它们都工作得很好。

除非在下面的产品特定评论中另有说明，否则此列表中的所有产品均已通过性能测试，例如定位和消除已知威胁、阻止恶意站点和链接等，其准确率百分比最高同行。

但是，有时，就像使用Norton Security and Antivirus一样，您必须升级到付费版本才能获得整套顶级、最明显和所需的功能。例如，对于Norton 产品^{(Norton product)}，您必须升级到Norton Mobile Security才能获得扫描和阻止恶意网站的能力。

在大多数情况下，所有这些产品的免费版本都包含您期望的基本防病毒保护；^{(antivirus protection)}如果他们不这样做，我会告诉你的。

如果它在此列表中

请注意，如果某个应用程序已进入此列表，我认为它是保护您的Android 手机^{(Android phone)}的有力候选者。但是，顺序是按字母顺序排列的，与一种产品比另一种更好无关。换句话说，这个列表不是从最好到最差的层次结构，反之亦然^{(vice versa)}。

也就是说，让我们开始吧。

Avast 移动安全^{(Avast Mobile Security)}

优点：

• 免费版包括防火墙、防盗和呼叫阻止
• 应用锁定
• 高级版 VPN

缺点：

• 免费版的广告

底线：

免费版对大多数用户来说应该足够强大，升级到高级版会增加VPN 和其他重要功能。

版本：

• Avast Mobile Security，几乎所有东西都附带 = 免费
• Avast Mobile Security Pro，添加了VPN、密码管理^{(password management)}和其他一些功能；一个许可证是 40 美元，三个是 55 美元，五个是 85 美元，一个 10 个许可证包每台设备运行大约 14 美元。

作为防病毒行业^{(antivirus business)}的巨头，Avast产品以^(Avast)性能和功能集^{(performance and feature sets)}而闻名。Avast Mobile Security免费版几乎提供了确保手机完全安全所需的一切。

这包括垃圾邮件拦截、病毒和恶意软件检测和清除^{(detection and removal)}、恶意应用程序检测和病毒清除^{(app detection and virus removal)}、恶意网页和链接检测、Wi-Fi 网络^{(Wi-Fi network)} 安全筛选^{(security screening)}、防盗保护^{(theft protection)}（包括使用Pro 版^{(Pro version)}拍摄小偷的照片和音频^{(picture and audio)})、存储清理^{(storage cleanup)}、RAM 提升^{(RAM boost)}、电池消耗^{(battery consumption)}控制等等。

升级到专业版^{(Pro version)}，您可以再次获得潜在小偷的快照和音频、注册和锁定^{(register and lock)}SIM 卡^{(SIM card)}更换、VPN 、通过PIN码保护应用程序和媒体^{(apps and media)}以及密码管理。

Avast还会监控您的使用情况以查看您最常使用的应用程序，确定哪些应用程序更适合在Wi-Fi（而不是电话数据网络）连接上使用，并帮助您确定特定应用程序如何访问您的特定方面电话，例如联系人、电子邮件、消息等。

比特卫士^{(Bitdefender)}

优点：

• 低操作系统开销
• 多种功能^{(Myriad Features)}，包括防盗、VPN和勒索软件保护^{(ransomware protection)}
• 远程控制和监控

缺点：

• 必须手动安排或启动扫描

底线：

根据您选择的版本，Bitdefender是一个庞大、全面的防病毒和安全^{(antivirus and security)}超级套件应用程序。

版本：

• Bitdefender Antivirus 免费版^{(Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition)}，适用于Windows、macOS 和Android = Free
• Bitdefender Total Security 2019 ，一年最多保护五台Android、Windows 、macOS 和 iOS 设备 = 建议零售价 89.99^(Windows)MSRP /零售价 44.99 美元

几乎所有评论过它的出版物和组织^{(publication and organization)}都获得了奖项， ^{(award winner)}Bitdefender是一款功能强大的Android 防病毒和安全应用程序^{(Android antivirus and security app)}。

当然，免费添加提供了基本的防病毒和恶意软件保护功能^{(antivirus and malware protection features)}，包括行为检测以密切监视您的活动应用程序，当它检测到任何可疑情况时，它会立即采取行动。强大的扫描引擎可确保检测和删除^{(detection and removal)}所有恶意软件，包括病毒、蠕虫和木马^(Trojans)，以及勒索软件、零日攻击、rootkit 和间谍软件。

Bitdefender Total Security 配备了几乎所有可用的Android 安全^{(Android security)}功能，包括防盗、设备管理员^{(device administrator)}、应用程序锁定^{(app lock)}、帐户隐私^{(account privacy)}等等。如果您启用它，甚至还有一个功能可以在有人试图猜测您的锁屏^{(lock screen)} PIN时拍摄快照。

虽然您必须手动安排或启动扫描，这使得该应用程序的操作系统开销如此之小，但在我的测试中，Bitdefender 的病毒扫描是业内最快的。应用锁为^{(App lock)}信息^(Messages)、电子邮件和设置以及您选择的其他应用提供额外的安全保护。它还可以保护您免受 Chrome和其他几种浏览器中的欺诈和恶意网站的侵害。

卡巴斯基^(Kaspersky)

优点：

• 出色的恶意软件防护
• 保护多达 20 台设备
• 众多功能包括家长控制、密码管理^{(password management)}、VPN和安全性
• ^{(Online dashboard)} 用于管理安全性的在线仪表板

缺点：

• 密码管理器^{(Password manager)} 可能更强大
• 需要多个单独的安装

底线：

根据您选择的版本，卡巴斯基^(Kaspersky)是一款功能齐全、严肃的防病毒安全应用程序^{(antivirus-security app)}，几乎没有什么可取之处。

版本：

Kaspersky Internet Security for Android，强大的功能集 = 免费

卡巴斯基全方位安全软件^{(Kaspersky Total Security)}，一台设备一年，14.95 美元；一年的三台设备，价格为 24.95 美元。还有支持多达 20 个 Windows、macOS、Android和 iOS 设备的多平台版本（建议零售价 149.99MSRP /零售价 59.99 美元）

免费的Kaspersky 版本^{(Kaspersky version)}是我见过的最强大的版本之一，可能是您真正需要的保护您的 Android 智能手机^{(Android smartphone)}的所有版本。它不仅提供强大的移动防病毒和恶意软件保护，而且还扫描危险的应用程序和链接^{(apps and links)}，尽管您必须启动每月 4 美元的更新才能获得它。

免费版附带的是全功能防盗保护^{(theft protection)}，包括在手机被盗或丢失时锁定或远程擦除手机的能力。不过，免费版本中缺少的是设置自动扫描恶意软件、网站和短信^(SMS)链接的反网络钓鱼保护以及允许您使用代码锁定应用程序以及隐藏呼叫的保密功能^{(confidentiality feature)}以及来自您设备上未经授权用户的文本。

Kaspersky还生产Kaspersky Security Cloud，其标价为 149.99 美元，在街上的售价仅为其 1/3。使用此产品，您可以获得 20台Android、Windows、macOS 或 iOS 安装设备。根据设备的不同，功能和控件非常广泛。对您的Android 智能手机^{(Android smartphone)}的保护包括Wi-Fi 网络^{(Wi-Fi network)}扫描、操作系统优化、用于删除未使用应用程序的未使用数据清理器^{(Data Cleaner)}以及电池寿命保护器和助推器。

但是，它不提供 防病毒保护^{(antivirus protection)}。您必须使用前面讨论的免费 Android 应用程序单独安装它。还有一个Kaspersky Safe Kids 选项^{(Kaspersky Safe Kids option)}可以过滤内容和监控社交媒体。您还可以使用该应用程序在孩子的智能手机上跟踪您孩子的位置。

迈克菲^(McAfee)

优点：

• 提供廉价的 10 个许可证版本
• 检查应用程序数据泄漏
• 强大的反钓鱼支持
• 勒索软件保护

缺点：

• 免费版的广告

底线：

对于拥有多台设备的家庭和企业，McAfee AntiVirus Plus支持 10款Android、Windows、macOS 和 iOS 设备。

版本：

适用于 Android 的 McAfee Mobile Security^{(McAfee Mobile Security for Android)} = 免费

McAfee Total Protection提供三个版本，一个、五个和 10 个许可证，适用于Android、Windows、macOS 和 iOS 设备，每年分别为 29.99 美元、39.99 美元和 44.99 美元。

McAfee 的产品在防病毒和安全^{(antivirus and security)}领域享有盛誉且值得信赖，无论您选择独立的免费Android 版本^{(Android version)}还是多平台 Total Protection 产品^{(Protection product)}，都能保护您的设备。除了防病毒保护之外，免费版本还具有广泛的防盗和设备定位器功能^{(anti theft and device locator features)}，包括拍摄小偷或^{(thief or somebody)}其他试图入侵您智能手机的人的照片的能力。

但是，要获得检查恶意网站、应用程序锁定功能^{(app lock feature)}、Wi-Fi 网络^{(Wi-Fi network)}保护、消除广告和媒体备份功能的能力，您必须升级到运行 79.99 美元的Pro 版本^{(Pro version)}，或 30 美元以上多平台 10^{(multiplatform 10)}设备全面保护包^{(Total Protection package)}。尽管您使用Pro Android 包^{(Pro Android package)}获得了对多达 10台Android设备的支持。

升级到多平台 Total Protection 产品^{(Protection product)}后，除了上一段中列出的功能之外，您还可以获得ID 盗窃^{(ID theft)}保护、密码管理^{(password management)}、 勒索软件保护^{(ransomware protection)}、防火墙、McAfee Mobile Security等。但是，如果您只有一台设备需要保护，那么到目前为止，最好的交易是 30 美元的 Total Protection 套餐。

虽然这是一款出色的产品，但迈克菲^(McAfee)应该重新审视其定价物流。此外，在安装过程中，不知何故，我设法在完成设置之前锁定了我的^{(before I finished setting it up)}McAfee 在线^{(McAfee online)}帐户，这增加了几个令人沮丧的步骤来获得防盗^{(Anti Theft)}和其他依赖于我的帐户工作的功能。

诺顿^(Norton)

优点：

• 出色的防病毒和恶意软件检测和删除
• 远程锁定您的手机
• 在测试期间始终保持最高分
• 内置防火墙
• 病毒防护保障
• VPN
• 家长控制权
• 在线备份

缺点：

• 需要升级以保护恶意站点^{(site protection)}

底线：

包括在线备份、VPN、许多安全功能、家长控制等在内的大量功能使 Norton 360 成为防病毒和安全产品^{(antivirus and security products)}的中坚力量。

版本：

Norton Mobile Security提供广泛的安全性，包括防盗和呼叫阻止 = 免费 30 天，然后 29.99 美元（在我写这篇文章时只卖一半）。

Norton 360 提供标准版^(Standard)和豪华版^(Deluxe)（建议零售价 79.99MSRP /零售价49.99 美元，建议零售价 99.99MSRP /零售价 59.99 美元），主要区别在于豪华版产品^{(Deluxe product)}最多支持五台Android、Windows、macOS 或 iOS 设备。还自带50GB在线备份空间^{(online backup space)}。

带有 LifeLock Select^{(Norton 360 with LifeLock Select)}的 Norton 360 配备之前产品中的所有功能，外加 LifeLock 身份盗窃保护^{(product plus LifeLock Identity Theft protection)}和 100GB备份空间^{(backup space)}，建议零售价 149.99MSRP /零售价 99.99 美元。

当然，诺顿防病毒和安全产品^{(Norton antivirus and security products)}是最早的并且可能是最著名的产品之一，它已经存在了很长时间，并且工作得非常好。虽然没有“免费”产品^{(” product)}，但该公司确实提供了 Norton Mobile Security 的 30天试用期，或者您可以在^{(day trial)}Norton 360 Deluxe （我一直在使用它没有问题）的五设备捆绑包中获得它几年来）。

除了防病毒保护，您还可以获得以下功能：

• 在线威胁防护
• 防盗
• 云备份
• 智能防火墙
• 密码管理器
• 病毒防护保障
• 家长控制权
• VPN
• LifeLock 功能
  • 基于美国的身份恢复
  • 钱包丢失保护
  • 百万美元保护套餐
  • 信用监控
  • SSN 监控
  • 数据泄露通知

诚然，并不是每个人都需要这一切，要获得这一切，你必须每年支付 100 到 150 美元。诺顿^(Norton) 还承诺您的设备将保持无病毒或退款。

结论

除了这五种产品之外，还有许多其他产品可供选择，但要确定这些产品并不容易。其中许多是免费的。但是，如果您像我一样，家里装满了Android、Windows和 iOS 设备，那么您最好选择提供多平台支持的大型捆绑包之一。

不过要小心，即使是最好的这些苹果设备^{(Apple device)}支持的吝啬鬼。好消息是macOS 和 iOS^{(macOS and iOS)}是封闭式架构，因此不容易被利用，它们也不会像Android设备那样成为一个大而多的目标。

无论如何，请务必检查您选择的捆绑包是否具有您使用的平台上所需的功能。

The Five Best Android Antivirus and Security Apps

When you’re at the top of the heaр, a big fish in a bіg pond, or however you’d describe the largest operating systеm in the world, you’re a target for explоitation. Crooks, hackers, malcontents, and wrong-doers spend countless hours of energу trying to figurе out how to take advantage of you аnd the good peoрle who rely on you.

It’s no wonder, then, that there are so many Android antivirus and security apps designed to protect you and your mobile devices from the ever-incessant perils out there trying to breach your smartphone, and therefore your privacy and your life.

Is Antivirus Enough?

As has always been the case with the most popular desktop OS, Windows, your Android device is under constant attack from viruses, malware, and other security threats designed primarily to steal your most private information, such as bank, credit card, and other credit sensitive data, and sometimes even your smartphone itself.

Hence, not only is it critical that you protect your data, but it’s also crucial that you have options if somebody steals or otherwise gets possession of your phone – anti theft protection.

Typically, antivirus apps scan your device, its software and incoming apps and data for threats and in turn annihilates them. They perform these functions and usually a few other security options, such as, say, blocking unwanted calls, for free. To add anti theft and other heftier security features, sometimes you’ll have to step up to a paid version, ranging from about $20 to $80, and sometimes not.

Antitheft apps, of course, can’t actually prevent somebody from stealing your phone, or you from losing it. But what they can do is allow you to track your property, or, if it comes to this, lock it down or wipe it remotely, thereby thwarting any attempts to access and exploit your data. Some apps go so far as allowing you to completely disable or remove specific apps, such as, say, your banking and credit card apps, remotely.

Other security features include watching your apps and flagging the ones that have permissions they don’t require, such as view your contacts, scan your call logs, locate you geographically, or send texts. If, for example, your phone or messaging app wants to access your contacts, that’s one thing, but if a silly little recipe-collecting app tries to peak at your private data, you should not only want to know about it, but will probably want to disable it.

Another way smartphone thieves try to claim your data, and your device itself, is by replacing the SIM card. Many antivirus-security apps provide ways to thwart this, by either, upon detecting a SIM card change, locking the device, or by sending you the new phone number associated with the SIM card, thereby allowing you to send the coded messages required to launch anti theft measures to protect or wipe your data.

Overall Effectiveness

Normally, when compiling a roundup of products like this, early in the prep work I would install all these (and others up for consideration) products and run them through a series of performance and effectiveness benchmark tests.

In this case, though, several third-party analysis and testing firms, including AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, MRG-Effitas, and others have already gone to great lengths to test these products. So, in addition to my testing and timing data, I relied heavily on independent, third-party benchmarking.

I also analyzed the friendliness and overall usability of the user interfaces. What most of these products have in common, even those that didn’t make this list’s cut, is that they all work quite well.

Unless otherwise noted in a product’s specific review below, all the products in this list, then, have passed performance tests, such as locating and neutralizing known threats, blocking malicious sites and links, and so on, with the highest percentages of accuracy among their peers.

Sometimes, though, like with Norton Security and Antivirus, you must upgrade to the paid version to get the entire set of the top, most obvious and desired features. With the Norton product, for instance, you must upgrade to Norton Mobile Security to get the ability to scan and block malicious websites.

In most cases, all these products’ free versions contain the basic antivirus protection you’d expect; I’ll let you know if and when they don’t.

If it’s on this List

Note that if an app has made it onto this list, I consider it a strong candidate for protecting your Android phone. The order, though, is alphabetical and has nothing to do with one product being better than the other. In other words, this list is not a hierarchy from best to worst or vice versa.

That said, let’s get started.

Avast Mobile Security

Pros:

• Free version includes firewall, antitheft, and call blocking
• App locking
• VPN in premium version

Cons:

• Ads in free version

Bottom Line:

The free version should be robust enough for most users, and stepping up to the premium version adds VPN and other significant features.

Versions:

• Avast Mobile Security, comes with just about everything  = free
• Avast Mobile Security Pro, adds VPN, password management, and a few other features; one license is $40, three is $55, and five is $85, with a 10-license pack running about $14 per device.

A giant in the antivirus business, Avast products are well-known for performance and feature sets. The Avast Mobile Security free version comes with just about everything you need to keep your phone completely secure.

This includes spam blocking, viruses and malware detection and removal, malicious app detection and virus removal, malicious web pages and links detection, Wi-Fi network security screening, anti theft protection (including taking a picture and audio of the thief with the Pro version), storage cleanup, RAM boost, battery consumption controls, and much more.

Stepping up to the Pro version gets you, again, snapshots and audio of a potential thief, register and lock on SIM card change, VPN, protecting apps and media via PIN codes, and password management.

Avast also monitors your usage to see what apps you use most of the time, determines which apps are better off used on a Wi-Fi (as opposed to phone data network) connection, and helps you determine how specific apps access specific aspects of your phone, such as, say, contacts, email, messages, and so on.

Bitdefender

Pros:

• Low OS overhead
• Myriad Features, including antitheft, VPN, and ransomware protection
• Remote Control and Monitoring

Cons:

• Scans must be scheduled or initiated manually

Bottom Line:

Depending on the version you choose, Bitdefender is a huge, comprehensive antivirus and security mega-suite app.

Versions:

• Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, works with Windows, macOS, and Android = Free
• Bitdefender Total Security 2019, protects up to five Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS devices for one year = $89.99 MSRP / $44.99 retail

An award winner by nearly every publication and organization that has reviewed it, Bitdefender is a powerful Android antivirus and security app.

The free addition, of course, provides bare-bones antivirus and malware protection features, including behavioral detection to closely monitor your active apps, and when it detects anything suspicious, it takes instant action. Powerful scan engines ensure detection and removal of all malware, from viruses, worms and Trojans, and ransomware, zero-day exploits, rootkits and spyware.

Bitdefender Total Security comes with just about every Android security feature available, including antitheft, device administrator, app lock, account privacy, and much, much more. If you enable it, there’s even a feature that takes a snapshot when somebody tries to guess your lock screen PIN.

While you must schedule or initiate scans manually, which is what makes this app’s OS overhead so small, Bitdefender’s virus scans in my test are among the fastest in the business. App lock provides additional security on Messages, emails, and settings, as well as other apps you choose. It also protects you from fraudulent and malicious sites inside Chrome and several other browsers.

Kaspersky

Pros:

• Excellent malware protection
• Protect up to 20 devices
• Numerous features include parental control, password management, VPN, and security
• Online dashboard for managing security

Cons:

• Password manager could be more robust
• Requires several separate installations

Bottom Line:

Depending on the version you choose, Kaspersky is a full-featured, no-nonsense antivirus-security app that leaves little to be desired.

Versions:

Kaspersky Internet Security for Android, a robust feature set = Free

Kaspersky Total Security, one device for one year for $14.95; three devices for one year for $24.95. There’s also multiplatform version that supports up to 20 Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices ($149.99 MSRP / $59.99 retail)

The free Kaspersky version is one of the most robust I’ve seen and may be all you really need to protect your Android smartphone. Not only does it deliver powerful mobile antivirus and malware protection, but it also scans for dangerous apps and links, though you’ll have to initiate a $4-per-month update to get that.

What does come with the free version is full-featured anti theft protection, including the ability to lock your phone or wipe it remotely if it’s stolen or lost. What’s missing in the free version, though, is the ability to set up automated scans for malware, anti-phishing protection for sites and SMS links, and a confidentiality feature that allows you to lock your apps with a code, as well as hide calls and texts from unauthorized users on your device.

Kaspersky also makes Kaspersky Security Cloud, which lists for $149.99 and sells on the street for about 1/3 of that. With this product you get 20 Android, Windows, macOS, or iOS installs devices. Depending on the device, features and controls are extensive. Protection on your Android smartphone includes Wi-Fi network scanning, OS optimization, Unused Data Cleaner for removing unused apps, and a battery life saver and booster.

It does not, however, provide antivirus protection. You have to install that separately with the free Android app discussed earlier. There’s also a Kaspersky Safe Kids option that filters content and monitors social media. And you can use the app to track your child’s location on his or her smartphone.

McAfee

Pros:

• Inexpensive 10 license version available
• Checks for app data leakage
• Strong antiphishing support
• Ransomware protection

Cons:

• Ads in free version

Bottom Line:

For households and businesses with many devices, McAfee AntiVirus Plus supports 10 Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS devices.

Versions:

McAfee Mobile Security for Android = Free

McAfee Total Protection, come in three versions, one, five, and 10 licenses for Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS devices, for $29.99, $39.99, and $44.99 per year, respectively.

A huge and trusted name in antivirus and security, McAfee’s offerings, whether you choose the standalone free Android version or the multiplatform Total Protection product, keep your devices protected. In addition to antivirus protection, the free version has extensive anti theft and device locator features, including the ability to snap a picture of the thief or somebody else trying to breach your smartphone.

However, to get the ability to check for malicious sites, the app lock feature, Wi-Fi network protection, eliminate ads, and a media back up feature, you must step up to the Pro version, which runs $79.99, or $30 more than the multiplatform 10 device Total Protection package. Though you do get support for up to 10 Android devices with the Pro Android package.

Stepping up to the multiplatform Total Protection product gets you, in addition to the features listed in the previous paragraph, ID theft protection, password management, ransomware protection, a firewall, McAfee Mobile Security, and more. If you have only one device to protect, however, by far the best deal is the $30 Total Protection package.

While this is an excellent product, McAfee should take another look at its pricing logistics. In addition, during installation, somehow I managed to lock my McAfee online account before I finished setting it up, which added several frustrating steps to getting Anti Theft and other features that depended on my account working.

Norton

Pros:

• Terrific antivirus and malware detection and removal
• Lock your phone remotely
• Consistently top scores during testing
• Built-in firewall
• Virus protection guarantee
• VPN
• Parental controls
• Online backup

Cons:

• Requires upgrade for malicious site protection

Bottom Line:

Tons of features, including online backup, VPN, many security features, parental controls, and more, make Norton 360 a stalwart in antivirus and security products.

Versions:

Norton Mobile Security, provides extensive security, including anti theft and call blocking = free for 30 days then $29.99 (on sale for half that as I wrote this).

Norton 360, comes in Standard and Deluxe ($79.99 MSRP / $49.99 retail, $99.99 MSRP / $59.99 retail), with the primary difference being that the Deluxe product supports up to five Android, Windows, macOS, or iOS devices. Also comes with 50GB of online backup space.

Norton 360 with LifeLock Select, comes with everything in the previous product plus LifeLock Identity Theft protection and 100GB of backup space, for $149.99 MSRP / $99.99 retail.

Certainly one of the first and probably the most well-known, Norton antivirus and security products have been around a long time and they work exceptionally well. While there is no “free” product, per se, the company does offer a 30 day trial of its Norton Mobile Security, or you can get it in a five-device bundle in Norton 360 Deluxe (which I’ve been using without issue for several years).

In addition to antivirus protection you get the following features:

• Online threat protection
• Antitheft
• Cloud backup
• Smart Firewall
• Password manager
• Virus protection guarantee
• Parental controls
• VPN
• LifeLock Features
  • US-based identity restoration
  • Lost wallet protection
  • Million Dollar Protection Package
  • Credit monitoring
  • SSN monitoring
  • Data breach notifications

Granted, not everybody needs all this, and to get it all you must pay from $100 to $150 per year. Norton also promises that your devices will stay virus free or refund your money.

Conclusion

In addition to these five products, there are numerous others available, and settling on these wasn’t easy. Many of them are free. But, if you’re like me, with a household full of Android, Windows, and iOS devices, you’re far better off choosing one of the mega-bundles that provide multiplatform support.

Be careful, though, even the best of these skimp on Apple device support. The good news is that macOS and iOS are closed architectures and therefore not so easily exploited, nor do they present nearly as large, jucy a target as do Android devices.

In any case, be sure to check that the bundle you choose comes with the desired features on the platforms you use.

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