Hackers are targeting tablets and smartphones to steal information or damage them. Antivirus software safeguards your device from malware and corrupted software. A lot of top antivirus programs provide additional features to help ensure that your tablet or phone is safe. Some of these features include the ability to manage passwords as well as a virtual personal network (VPN) and even an app lock which requires a passcode in order to access the application. Some have an anti-theft mechanism to locate your device in case it is stolen or lost.

Certain apps are completely free, whereas others come with a premium tier that offers features like the use of a VPN or an identity theft protection service. These premium applications cost between $15 and $30 a year. Some also offer a year-long subscription that gives you unlimited access.

Norton Mobile Security is the most well-known antivirus application for android. It has been awarded the top scores in independent tests, and comes with a host of security features that include an anti-theft feature and a powerful malware More hints detection capability, and a low-resource drain. It can also detect ransomware, as well as other malware threats and erase or encryption of files. A useful feature called Camera Trap snaps a picture of anyone who is trying to get into your phone.

Another top-rated choice is Kaspersky, which boasts almost 100% malware detection and has a minimal impact on performance. It also has a wide range of other security features, like call filtering, Wear OS support, and Wi-Fi network scanners to prevent devices from connecting to unsecure networks. It’s not as well-equipped as some of the other apps listed in this roundup, but there are no advertisements in its free version and very little solicitation to upgrade to its premium offering.