Most of the unsettling stuff that you read and hear about Android devices getting infected essentially arises from uncertainty, and lack of knowledge of the way the platform works. The fact is that Android devices tend to be quite safe and secure, so long as you follow the basic guidelines of not straying from the Google Play Store as far as downloading and installing of apps is concerned. Sure, it’s supposed to be an open system, and is expected to allow you a lot more flexibility with what you install, and where you install it from, which it does, along with giving you the option of whether or not you want to allow installation of apps from unknown sources. All it takes is one tap on a checkbox in the Android Settings menu, but then, that’s also all it takes for leaving the door open for someone, or something, you’d rather not let in. That’s exactly where antivirus apps and VIRUSFighter come into the picture.
VIRUSFighter Android Free is an anti-malware app for Android devices, developed by Spamfighter, which happens to be a veteran in the security space for desktops, servers, and mobile platforms. VIRUSFighter is available as a free, as well as an enhanced paid app for Android devices, and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
VIRUSFighter Android Free: App Review
As you can see from these screenshots, scanning your phone is a cinch. Simply click the Scan option on the app’s home screen, and let the app do the heavy lifting. VIRUSFighter Android will scan through your installed apps, phone content, media, as well as all your files and check out if everything is clean, the way it is supposed to be. During the scan process, the app may throw up an alert, which tells you about a particular file has been recognized as infected, and you will get the option of either deleting the infected file or ignoring it. The latter action can be considered if you are sure that the identified file does not pose a threat.
Another interesting feature that exists in the free version, is that whenever you install an app, from Google Play or otherwise, the app automatically scans it for any malicious code, checks it against its vast database of known threats, and notifies you of whether it is safe to install or not. Pretty cool for a free app!
The free version is rather limited in its functionality, other than on-demand scan of your SD card or internal memory, and the automated scan of apps you are about to install. Advanced options like real-time scanning, security advisor and privacy advisor are grayed out, but can be activated if you shell out a shade under $5 for the PRO version of the app. A pretty acceptable price for being able to sleep peacefully, knowing that your personal data is all armored and protected.
We do wish that the free version offered at least a time-limited option to try out the advanced features (The Real-time scanning service for email, and the App Manager option which scans suspicious permissions looks good), but find VIRUSFighter Android Free as an app worth trying out.
Download VIRUSFighter for Android
Leave a Reply