Use an anti-virus software
Use anti-virus software to prevent malware infections
Last updated 20 January 2025
Viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other forms of malware (malicious software) can infect and harm your computer and mobile devices. To safeguard your computer and mobile devices from malware infections, use an anti-virus software or application and set the software to check for updates automatically.
Most people know that we need anti-virus software for our computers, but we often overlook mobile security or anti-virus apps. Like computers, our mobile devices are vulnerable to malware infections too.
Without the use of a mobile anti-virus app, cyber criminals can use malware to infect our devices. This could result in severe and long-lasting consequences. Aside from causing our devices to slow down or malfunction, malware could also delete or corrupt files, steal information or even allow others to gain access to our devices and personal information.
As we become increasingly reliant on our mobile devices for day-to-day tasks, our devices are now a treasure trove of valuable personal information for cyber criminals. It is therefore more important than ever to use an anti-virus app to keep out malware designed by cyber criminals to steal personal information from us.
How to choose an anti-virus app
With countless anti-virus apps available on the mobile app stores, choosing the right one can seem daunting. In general, there is no one-size-fits-all where mobile security is concerned. The right anti-virus app for you should be one that best suits your needs. At a minimum, your mobile anti-virus app should be able to scan and detect malware. To help you get started on choosing an anti-virus app, here are some factors to consider:
Automatic updates and scanning
Malware and virus threats are constantly evolving as cyber criminals devise new methods of attack. Therefore, it is essential that your choice of anti-virus app allows you to enable automatic updates so that you have the most up-to-date protection against the latest threats. Additionally, it should allow you to schedule regular scans to ensure that there is no undetected malware running on your devices.
Malware removal capabilities
While many anti-virus apps provide basic malware detection, malware removal often remains as a separate feature. Many free options can only detect and quarantine malware, but may not offer removal options if your devices are found to be infected. When trying out the different anti-virus apps, look out for one which offers malware removal capabilities.
User-friendly features
Look for an anti-virus app that has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and allow you to adjust the settings according to your needs. If it is difficult to navigate, it is likely that you will avoid using it, so it might be best to cross it off the list. The anti-virus app should also come with default configurations that are acceptable to most mobile users, such as providing instant alerts whenever malware is detected.
Be cost-aware
Costs for mobile anti-virus apps can vary from free to having to pay for a regular subscription. Most reputable security companies offer free versions of their anti-virus apps which provide basic protection for your mobile devices. Depending on your needs, you may wish to consider paid versions of anti-virus apps for more comprehensive protection. For instance, if you use your mobile devices heavily for email communication, you may wish to consider an anti-virus with email scanning features to screen for malware in email attachments.
Read product reviews
Consider product reviews on reputable and trustworthy websites before settling on a mobile anti-virus product. When browsing the reviews, be sure to check that it comes from an independent source and cross-check with several sources, to ensure that the results are fair and accurate. It may pay off to steer clear of products that consistently score poorly amongst different independent reviews.
There are many more factors you should consider when choosing an anti-virus app. While it isn’t always a straightforward task, we hope that this list can help you get started today on choosing the right mobile anti-virus app for your mobile devices.
Resources
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