Android Security Apps: Do You Actually Need One?

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Do you need antivirus on Android?

For most users who only install apps from Google Play and keep their phone updated, Android's built-in protection is sufficient. Google Play Protect scans all installed apps continuously and blocks most threats. However, additional protection may be worthwhile if you:

Regularly connect to public Wi-Fi without a VPN
Need to sideload apps for work reasons
Manage sensitive business data on your device
Have family members (especially children) who install apps independently

4 steps

What built-in protection covers

Before adding a third-party app, understand what Android already does:

Google Play Protect: scans all apps before and after installation for malicious behaviour
Safe Browsing in Chrome: warns you before you visit known phishing and malware sites
Permission manager: controls what each app can access
Monthly security patches (for supported devices): fix known vulnerabilities
Google account protection: monitors for unusual sign-in activity

5 steps

What a security app adds

A reputable third-party security app can add:

Real-time web protection in browsers other than Chrome
Wi-Fi network scanning to detect potentially hostile hotspots
VPN functionality (often included with paid tiers)
Identity monitoring to alert you if your email appears in data breaches
More detailed app behaviour analysis beyond what Play Protect provides

5 steps

What to look for in a security app

If you decide to install a security app, choose one from an established vendor with a published privacy policy:

Look for independent test results from AV-TEST or AV-Comparatives: these organisations run standardised Android malware tests
Avoid unknown vendors offering "free antivirus" with excessive permission requests: these are often the very thing you are trying to avoid
Bitdefender, Kaspersky (note: government advisory on Russian origin), Norton, and Malwarebytes all score well in independent tests
Be wary of apps that claim to "boost performance" or "clean junk": these are usually unnecessary and sometimes harmful
A paid app from a reputable vendor is preferable to a free app from an unknown one

5 steps

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Android antivirus and security apps

Do you need antivirus on Android?

What built-in protection covers

What a security app adds

What to look for in a security app