Many people think of antivirus software as something that they only need on Windows laptops and computers, but you really do need it on your Android phone as well. Hackers are constantly developing new ways to get your phone infected with malware that could steal your identity and cause chaos. They could also turn your phone into an instrument for spying on criminals. While Google Play is trying to weed out malware-ridden apps, a lot slip through the cracks. An antivirus program that is reliable will scan your entire device, alerting you to suspicious websites, messages and Wi-Fi networks. It also comes with an anti-theft function that allows you to locate and wipe data from a stolen phone.

Bitdefender Mobile Security offers top-notch security capabilities, scoring top marks in the most recent AV-Test review and earning a high score from AV-Comparatives (the other major independent test lab). It goes beyond just look for malware, however it comes with an App Advisor that warns you about risky apps prior to downloading them, and other useful features such as a junk file cleaner as well as a privacy booster that can boost performance, and a Wi-Fi scanner to ensure your data is safe.

AVG’s free Android antivirus is a quality product which goes beyond the routine scanning Web Site of files and apps with a myriad of useful tools, such as an anti-theft program that can track your device, snap a secret photo of someone who has stolen it and erase its data remotely as well as a junk file cleanup and a performance boost and a Wi-Fi scanner to ensure that you’re not being hacked, or overloaded by your wireless provider. It’s not the most user-friendly interface, but it is effective and has top score on virus detection.