Android devices are prime targets for thieves. A strong security app can protect you by stopping malware from accessing and stealing sensitive data like personal finances and banking details.

Most of the top security apps include theft protection features to remotely lock or wipe stolen smartphones, while others provide call blocking, device locators services and additional useful extra features such as VPN support, Wi-Fi scanner scanning capabilities or RAM booster.

1. AhnLab V3 Mobile Security

AhnLab stands out among Korean antivirus providers as one of the premier mobile security solution providers, with outstanding performance in AV-TEST evaluations that places them amongst the elite providers.

This software features several tools to maximize smartphone performance and safeguard personal information, such as virus scanning, anti-theft capabilities, app locking capabilities, junk cleaner capabilities and privacy booster. Furthermore, a password management tool and address book backup provide users with additional safeguards against lost information.

Intelligent SMS detection scans incoming messages for potentially unsafe phrases and attachments, while hidden gallery safeguards private photos and videos from prying eyes. Furthermore, its privacy booster clears junk files to increase memory utilization efficiency for maximum device speed.

Anti-theft protection enables you to remotely lock your phone if it gets lost or stolen, protecting sensitive data from being compromised by thieves. Antivirus scans scan for malicious code on your device and notifies you if any dangerous programs have been identified on it, while its device locator helps find lost or stolen phones quickly and reliably. In addition, its strong firewall blocks unauthorised apps from accessing data while thwarting any spoofing and hacking attempts on it.

2. Cheetah Mobile Security 4.2

CM Security stands out as an industry leader with more than 100 million downloads on Google Play Store and an outstanding 4.7 rating, making them one of the first companies to detect and block Ghost Push malware – an Android virus with root access which installs unwanted applications that slow down or drain battery, consume cellular data, or cause you to miss calls and messages.

CM Security is an all-in-one security suite for Android that goes far beyond simply detecting and blocking viruses. With features like Antivirus, VPN, Junk Cleaner and Power Booster as well as its unmatched AV-Test scores for real-time protection plus privacy protection and smartphone optimization extras CM Security delivers comprehensive protection at an unbeatably competitive price.

Although CM Security does not feature ads, a small subscription fee is necessary to unlock additional features like unlimited VPN daily usage and scheduled boost. With its overall performance being so impressive, however, this mobile security app makes for an ideal option when looking to protect their smartphone device.

Cheetah Mobile was previously criticized by US senators for collecting user permissions for an ad fraud scheme, yet has since addressed this issue. Cheetah Mobile recently made headlines when it partnered with Kochava – an app analytics firm which detects dangerous app-based ad fraud schemes on Android devices – to monitor potential dangers on devices running Android OS. Furthermore, Cheetah Mobile introduced new versions of Clean Master and Security Master apps which offer protection from third-party software exploiting mobile permissions exploits.

3. Kaspersky Mobile Security

Kaspersky Antivirus for PCs has long been considered one of the best antivirus solutions, and their Android version does not disappoint either. Offering all-in-one protection from malware, online threats and real world dangers – password managers, data leak checker and an encrypted Vault for sensitive files – Kaspersky also includes anti-theft features designed to regain control of a lost or stolen phone or tablet such as remotely locking, locating or wiping it remotely; while Mugshot allows your front facing camera to take pictures of anyone using your device if necessary!

The program’s interface is user-friendly. Security levels are color coded, with green check marks signifying everything is normal and red ones indicating problems. Performance was excellent: scan times were lightning quick while memory usage was minimal (though running a scan did lower battery life on my test phone).

Another interesting feature is their dark web monitor, which checks for data leaks on the dark web. It can detect leaked photos, addresses, financial information and other personal details which have been posted online illegally. While the free version only checks your email address; premium and plus versions offer much greater monitoring capability with up to 50 addresses monitored as well as automatic scans of new leaks every set period of time.

4. Bitdefender Mobile Security

Bitdefender Mobile Security is one of the most comprehensive smartphone protection apps available, providing a full arsenal of tools to keep your device secure. It scans apps to identify malware, phishing sites and other dangerous content; shields web browsing with limited VPN; scans your device for vulnerabilities; remotely locks down apps containing sensitive data; monitors texts and chats for malicious links; locate your lost phone via sound alert or remote location support; take selfie photos after three failed PIN attempts; scan contacts for duplicates and remove unnecessary contacts – plus scan and cleans them regularly for duplicate contacts!

Beginners will find it simple and straightforward to start using Avast Security with its user-friendly layout that puts all the essential features at their fingertips. The main screen includes links for scan, system scanner, vulnerability scanner and VPN along with settings for online protections against ransomware safeguards, anti-virus scanning, privacy and scam warnings and password manager that consolidates all logins into one super secure password.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Android was tested by AV-Comparatives and received top scores for both malware detection and zero false positives, earning top marks in both categories. For its free version, however, additional protection with access to VPN and identity protection features is also an attractive proposition; however a subscription will set you back $15 annually.