Does Your Smartphone Need An Antivirus App?

With new technology and innovations, smartphones have become an integral part of most people’s daily lives. It’s usually the first thing that we pick up in the morning or the last thing we look at before bed. It’s our go-to for staying up-to-date with news and staying connected. Our phones are the one thing we can’t leave the house without, and it’s a major inconvenience to our day if we do.

Smartphones are designed to be multifunctional and convenient. This has increased our dependence on them over the years. Banking apps have made it easy to transact online in a matter of minutes. Health apps have been designed to help us achieve our fitness goals. There is an app for almost everything, and that has made the smartphone’s integration into our lives so seamless.

The result is that our smartphones hold a lot of information about us. From app passwords to financial information, it’s generally private data. This raises the question about antivirus apps, and if our smartphones should have them to add an extra layer of security.

Security Risks For Smartphones

Before we look at the role that antivirus apps play in security, it’s important to understand the security risks associated with having a smartphone. In addition to attacks on individual devices, public networks can also become a target.

Malware Threats

Malicious software is used to cause damage to devices or access personal information. There are different types of malware, but the most common ones are viruses, trojans and spyware. This can lead to stolen data for cybercrime, increased phone bills and in some cases, complete loss of device control.

Phishing Attempts

‘Phishing’ is a term for when people are deceived into giving out private information. Cybercriminals will usually pretend to be someone who is known to the individual, and will ask for login passwords or credit card details. These are usually carried out through e-mails or text messages.

Network Attacks

Most people are quick to connect to public Wi-Fi networks to save data, but they have their own security risks. Unsecured public networks provide an easy way for cybercriminals to intercept information as it’s being transmitted without the user’s knowledge. They can also create fake Wi-Fi networks, known as rogue hotspots, for personal data to be accessed when a user connects to it.

Why You Should Consider Using An Antivirus App

If you use an Android or Apple device, both have built-in protection for security. But as phishing and malware attempts become more sophisticated, using a third-party antivirus app can be beneficial for extra protection.

They Are Better Equipped To Detect Malware

Antivirus apps work in the background of your smartphone. They constantly scan your device to see if there is any suspicious activity. If you download an app, you may be unintentionally downloading malware too. Antivirus apps can pick these up and remove them before they cause any real damage.

Security For Websites And Apps

Most antivirus apps have security features for protection when using the Internet or apps. It’s easy to fall victim to cybercrime when visiting websites, so antivirus apps provide tools for a safer browsing experience. In addition to this, they will analyse apps before they are installed to check that their permissions are legitimate.

Features To Reduce Theft Attempts

Depending on which antivirus app you choose, there may be anti-theft features in place. These include data wiping and location tracking in case your device is stolen. Any sensitive information can be removed from the device and it can assist with recovering the device.

Do You Have To Pay For Antivirus Apps?

There are free antivirus apps that you can use, if you are on a tight budget. These will protect you and your devices from the common security threats. Paid antivirus subscriptions usually have additional features that free ones won’t have, such as location tracking. They aren’t always a necessity to have, but they do offer a more comprehensive protection of your devices and information.

Other Ways To Protect Your Data

Whether you have an antivirus app or not, there are a few things that you can do to enhance the security on your smartphone and protect your data.

Regularly Update Your Software

Software updates become available on a regular basis and it’s important to make sure that your smartphone always has the latest version. These updates have the latest protection for your device, and fix any issues that would have become prevalent in the previous version.

Don’t Click On Suspicious Links

It’s very common to receive e-mails or text messages with links telling you that you’ve won a prize or you are receiving money owed to you. Once you click on the link, it gives the scammer immediate access to your information. It’s also recommended to not download any attachments from an e-mail address that you aren’t familiar with.

Use Strong Passwords And Two-Factor Authentication

It’s tempting to use the same password for multiple accounts for convenience, but you should use different ones each time. Passwords shouldn’t have any links to you directly such as birthdays or pet names, and be made up of numbers, letters and symbols. Most apps offer two-factor authentication for extra security, where you will need to approve any logins on a new device.