The laboratory of the AV-TEST Institute tested 20 security solutions for Android - including Google Play Protect - in September and October 2021. Also in the test are apps for companies and as single-user apps for smartphones in SMEs or private devices that are used in companies.
All apps and services were examined in realistic tests in the areas of protection, speed (performance), usability (usability) and other functions (features). AV-TEST awards up to 6 points for each test area. The best apps have thus achieved 18 points.
20 Android protection apps put to the test
The standard protection Google Play Protect is usually used on any Android device. For comparison, the laboratory also tested this protection. Anyone who sees the performance of Google protection should definitely rely on one of the protection apps examined. Because in all tests, Google receives absolutely 0 points in the area of protection. Only the system load and the false alarms received 6 points each.
Tested protection apps for companies
- ESET Endpoint Security
- Google Play Protect
Tested protection apps for single devices
- AhnLab V3 Mobile Security
- Avast Mobile Security
- AVG Antivirus FREE
- Avira Antivirus Security
- Bitdefender Mobile Security
- ESET Mobile Security
- F-Secure SAFE
- G DATA Mobile Security
- Google Play Protect
- Ikarus mobile.security
- Kaspersky Internet Security for Android
- Line antivirus
- McAfee Mobile Security
- Norton LifeLock Norton 360
- Protected.net Total AV
- securiON OnAV
- Sophos Intercept X for Mobile
- Trend Micro Mobile Security
Overall, a protection app is highly recommended, as Google cannot even filter out dangerous apps in its own Play Store. Avast has just discovered the global premium SMS fraud campaign “UltimaSMS” in the Google Play Store. More than 150 apps were part of a scam campaign that was advertised on TikTok and Instagram and aimed at enticing users to sign up for premium SMS subscriptions.
Google fails to recognize 150 scam apps
The applications are almost identical in structure and functionality and can cost victims of the fraud campaign - who receive no consideration whatsoever - up to $ 40 per month, depending on their location and mobile operator. Last week, over 80 of the apps were still available for download in the Google Play Store. Avast reported this to the Google security team, which was immediately removed from the Play Store.
More at AV-TEST.org
About AV-TEST AV-TEST GmbH is an independent provider of services in the field of IT security and anti-virus research with a focus on the identification and analysis of the latest malware and its use in comprehensive comparative tests. The fact that the test data is up-to-date enables the quick-response analysis of new malware, the early detection of virus trends, and the investigation and certification of IT security solutions. The results of the AV-TEST Institute represent an exclusive information base and serve manufacturers for product optimization, specialist magazines for the publication of results and end customers for orientation in product selection.
The company AV-TEST has been operating in Magdeburg since 2004 and employs more than 30 people with profound specialist and practical experience. The laboratories are equipped with 300 client and server systems in which more than 2.500 terabytes of self-determined test data of harmful and harmless information are stored and processed. Further information can be found at https://www.av-test.org.