Most of us know that if we visit unsecure websites without proper antivirus software installed on our computers, there’s a good chance our devices will become corrupted by harmful viruses, possibly leading to the loss of personal information or much worse.
In fact, it isn’t even necessary to visit suspicious websites. These days, viruses and those who create them are much more sophisticated than they used to be, and are always finding new ways to infiltrate your devices and sneak malicious programs onto them.
The good news? You can protect yourself, your private images, personal information, and login credentials from these sneaky would-be criminals. The most effective way is by installing reputable antivirus software on your device.
Can a Virus Infect a Smartphone?
Today, most people spend more time on their smartphones than they do on a computer. So, is it even possible for a virus to infect your smartphone? The answer is yes!
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Smartphones are vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and spyware. Should your device become infected by any of these nefarious viruses, the consequences can be severe.
Most smartphones come with antivirus software preinstalled. So, you might think this built-in software should be adequate. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Such software is seldom enough to thwart criminals who make their living getting around those defences.
Why do Smartphones Need Protection?
People once used their phones simply to make telephone calls; indeed, that was just about all a phone could do. This is no longer the case. These days, we rely on our smartphones for conducting all sorts of daily activities, including shopping, banking, working, and romance. When transmitted over the Internet, information related to these activities is vulnerable to theft.
The antivirus software installed by default on most smartphones can detect suspicious websites, prevent annoying popups, and alert you if a downloaded file is unsafe. The problem is hackers also have smartphones, and they have access to the source code for your phone’s default antivirus software. As a result, they have plenty of time to find backdoors and vulnerabilities in that software.
Hackers are clever—some even brilliant. You might be surprised to learn that many cyber criminals hold advanced degrees in subjects like computer engineering and physics. This means they are more than capable of figuring out how to exploit your default antivirus app. In fact, most antivirus definitions are obsolete within a few weeks. Consequently, there is a continuous battle between those trying to steal your information and those working to protect it.
For these reasons, smartphones require additional antivirus software. You need a solution that is updated automatically to protect you from the latest threats. Failing to have such protection is a recipe for disaster, especially if you have sensitive files, photos, or information on your device.
iPhone Malware and Antivirus
Some would have you believe that iPhones don’t advertise antivirus programs because they don’t need them. However, to say that the iPhone’s native antivirus software offers full protection and no additional software is necessary is nonsense.
The next time somebody claims iPhones are not susceptible to information theft, simply remind them of the 2014 iCloud leak, which saw the intimate photos of more than 500 celebrities stolen and leaked online by hackers.
What you Should do to Stay Safe
iPhones are secure, arguably more so than devices from other manufacturers. Their reputation for having great antivirus features is deserved, yet exaggerated. Protect yourself now because if your device, files, or online activity ever become compromised, it’ll be too late to do anything.
The good news is that it’s easy to protect your iPhone with an added layer of security. Various antivirus programs are available for iOS, and they exist for a reason. Some top iPhone antivirus applications include Norton 360, McAfee, TotalAV, Avira, and Bitdefender.
Android Malware and Antivirus
Generally, Android devices are less secure right out of the box versus iPhones, and that’s putting it mildly. In fact, a study conducted by Statista found Android to be the most vulnerable operating system on the market.
That’s not to say your Android device is not secure. But hackers are working constantly to uncover weaknesses in the Android OS. Certainly, Android devices will do their best to protect you from viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, and malicious apps, but it’s still not enough.
How to Stay Safe
Like iPhones, Android devices should be protected with an additional layer of security in the form of trusted antivirus software. There are several free antivirus software applications available for download from the Google Play Store.
It is worth investing in a quality service that will actually protect your Android device from the newest and most dangerous cyber threats. Some top antivirus software programs for Android include Avast, AVG Premium, Bitdefender for Android, Norton 360, and Sophos Intercept X.
Features to Look for in Antivirus Software
Whether you’re using an iPhone, Android, Chrome OS device, or any other smartphone, it’s important to protect yourself, your device, and your private information from intelligent criminals aiming to steal from you.
By installing premium antivirus software, you’ll add a sophisticated layer of protection that can thwart most cybercriminals. But not all antivirus software options are created equally. How do you decide which one is best?
There are many advanced features that are particularly helpful in protecting your device from cybercrime. Let’s review a few key features to look out for when selecting an antivirus program for your device.
Real-Time Online Threat Protection
Real-time protection against viruses and dangerous applications—such as malware, spyware, key loggers, and ransomware—allows you to browse the Internet without worrying about your device’s security.
Password Manager
With most people having several online accounts, it’s critical to safeguard your passwords. If you have only one password across all accounts and it becomes compromised, you could have a major problem with all of your accounts being hijacked—a nightmare to sort out. At the same time, if you have multiple passwords for your various accounts, you may end up forgetting some of them, causing you to be locked out or otherwise unable to access your services.
The solution? A password manager. This feature allows you to securely store your passwords directly with your antivirus subscription provider. With a password manager, you never have to worry about forgetting any of your passwords, no matter how many online accounts you have.
Automated Cloud Backups
If your device is corrupted, hijacked, or stolen, you could lose all of your personal files, photos, contacts, and more, possibly even your money and identity. Good antivirus software will include automated cloud backup services, ensuring your files are securely stored in the cloud so you can access them from any device. That means even if you lose the use of your phone, you’ll never lose your files and photos.
Other Features
There are other features that are also nice to have and can go a long way towards ensuring your sensitive information, privacy, and login credentials remain safe and secure. Before buying an antivirus subscription for your device, check for the following features:
- Parental Controls
- Smart Firewall
- VPN Service
- Camera Safeguard
The above features play a critical role in protecting your data, so choose a product that offers as many of these as possible.
Conclusion and Recommendation
There are those who would love to steal your personal information, intimate photos, money, and identity. They are working as we speak to attack your smartphone and exploit you for their own gain. Throw a wrench into their plans by securing your device with an additional layer of protection. In this world, you have to be careful and vigilant. Don’t be a victim! Install reliable, premium antivirus software on your smartphone today and protect yourself.
