Don't Forget Avast for Mobile Security
After posting an article yesterday regarding a new update coming to Lookout for Android, I received a nice email from an Avast representative pointing out they too offer a very good, and free, solution for the Google mobile platform.  In fact, he pointed out that Avast actually ranked number two in an independent test conducted by AV Test.
Being a Lookout user for some time, I was intrigued by this and decided to take a look.  Many of us are familiar with Avast on the PC, but running it on a mobile device is less of a known quantity, but as it turns out, more than 10 million people worldwide are already using the app.  Although, as the rep mentioned in his message, "There is a good 700M Android phone users and my guestimate is that only 10% would have any security or even think about any security."  With exploits becoming more common in the mobile world that figure will certainly have to change.
Avast Mobile Security offers virus scanning of both installed apps and memory cards, scans and displays access rights and intents of installed apps,  anti-theft component that allows you to access, track and wipe a stolen device, network data usage monitoring, web monitoring for all entered URL's, message scanning, SMS/Call Filtering, app manager, battery saver and a firewall.
Available languages include Catalan, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish.
I have just begun trying out Avast Mobile Security, but I like the features I am seeing and the interface is easy to understand.  Best of all, the price is right.  I will need to give it a few days for a real comparison against Lookout.  Mostly what mobile users, and computer users for that matter, want out of a security app is for it to be lightweight and unobtrusive.  My first impressions of Avast Mobile Security say thatin  both of those respects it;s a resounding "so far, so good".
Download: Avast Mobile Security
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Is your Android up to date (4.1.x)? If you answered no then you’re vulnerable and no piece of security software is going to save you.
Keep in mind that Android utilizes a VM. If you do install a malicious app all you have to do is uninstall it. It’s not like Windows where it replicates and manipulates other files and registry entries.
Periodically check running services and installed apps ensure that they belong. This is as effective as any “malware” app.
Martin, this software promotes FUD and doesn’t help at all!
Most Android security apps are worthless when it comes to protecting you against
mobile malware, according to a new study.
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57391170-12/dont-get-faked-by-android-antivirus-apps/
A shockingly high percentage of Android antivirus apps are still ineffective, even after an update to the original study corrects overly negative results.
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57398501-12/android-antivirus-apps-improve-their-grades-just-not-very-much/
So your links are basically telling me to use Avast? The only problem I have with Avast right now is the comments in Android Market talking about excessive SMS popups. Especially since I don’t have unlimited text since I don’t use text. I have this new fangled thing called voice mail and email. So I don’t see a need to pay for text.
Please post an update on this test. If the horror stories I hear about antivirus slowing the phone down to a crawl is no longer true, I’ll definitely be looking into this one. Thanks.