Every day there’s less you can do without a smartphone. They’ve become essential for checking emails and social media or making online purchases. However, this dependency means that the consequences of getting hacked have become more serious.
Hackers are finding increasingly inventive ways to get into our phones, such as breaching insecure Wi-Fi networks or using bots to crack passwords. If they get into your device, they’ll have access to all your sensitive information: where you go, what you buy and do, and who you know. In even more extreme situations, they could empty your bank account or take out credit cards in your name.
Luckily, several companies are working hard to create countermeasures to stop these criminals in their tracks. Although smartphones already come equipped with antivirus software, it’s recommended that you add a third-party application, as several of them offer extra features.
Whether it’s for you or anyone else in the family, protection while browsing your favorite websites is essential. Having a solid antivirus installed on all the devices you use is a must, but you’ll need more than that. Enter AVG Ultimate, a bundle of four programs, all of which, when installed, will let you sit back and browse the internet without ever worrying about security. Each software is responsible for protecting your device in different ways. Among them is the renamed and revamped AVG Internet Security, practically the same user-friendly and easy-to-manage antivirus software launched just a few years after the internet came into our homes. But modern systems require more than just an antivirus, and combined with the other programs, AVG Ultimate provides a solid defense on all fronts. All this at a reasonable price and with happy-to-help customer service.
Guardio is a real-time protection service that safeguards your browsing activity by enhancing your online security and privacy. It shields customers from numerous online threats, such as phishing and malware, before they infect the user’s device. To attain this, Guardio includes features like anti-identity theft, safe searching, email security, and malicious download blocker. The service is available via browser extensions and apps for Android and iOS and there’s a free version as well as discounts of up to 33%.
There aren’t many software developers as widespread as Avast, but despite the various different avenues that it has branched out into since its founding in 1988, the company is still better known for Free Antivirus, the software that many users consider to be a lifesaver. Although Avast’s free antivirus has been through many changes, deep down it has always remained a simple and straightforward solution. It includes several ways to scan the computer, from the convenient Smart Scan and ability to manually refine the scans for personal preference, to the active shields that run in the background. However, what makes Avast a must-have is that its antivirus features are just a part of the full equation: the software’s free version is equipped with extra solutions on top of the antivirus like a password manager or software updater, but it can also be upgraded with various other functions that, as a result, turn PCs, Macs, and even phones into impenetrable fortresses against wrongdoers.
All Android devices that have the Google Play Store installed also come with a malware scanner. Google Play Protect provides basic protection and blocks the installation of the majority of harmful applications, helping you use your device without fear of having your information stolen. This software also uses machine learning, meaning it improves all the time.
However, Google Play Protect doesn’t work for those users with a Huawei phone, who can’t access Google’s store nor its protection. Plus, there have been several cases where Google Play Store’s security has been compromised, putting millions of people at risk of phishing or hacking.
Additionally, Google Play Protect can’t flag suspicious-looking sites, prevent malicious software from being installed, or block callers, so this is where a third-party antivirus software can act as a crucial extra layer of protection. What’s more, a third-party service is normally packed full of extra features, such as system cleaners, VPNs, RAM boosters, and more.
Regardless of how reliable your antivirus is, hackers can still get into your device if you don’t follow certain guidelines. Firstly, it’s important to always use biometrics such as fingerprints or facial recognition along with a PIN to lock your phone and other sensitive apps.
Using a VPN is always a wise choice, but it becomes essential when using public Wi-Fi. For people with several social media or email accounts, a password manager can create and store complicated and secure passwords. Although free APK files found online may be tempting, these apps may come with an unwanted guest, such as a trojan horse that steals your information if not caught by antivirus software.
Last but not least, it’s important to stay vigilant when installing and storing apps. Uninstalling unused apps is an easy step to help protect your personal data while freeing up storage. Once this is done, look carefully at each remaining app as you should only give apps permission to view your personal information if they can’t function properly without it. Making these small changes takes minimal time and effort, but they may just safeguard you against a data-leak disaster.
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