Stiftung Warentest: Testing security apps for Android

Many security apps at Stiftung Warentest with a really bad result: Not even every second Android app reliably protects against Trojans on the Internet in the test. An even bigger disaster with the free security apps: Not a single app provides reliable protection here. We show in our test summary which Android app you can rely on.

Product test: Free security apps do not protect against Trojans

The BKA trojan demands ransom for your cell phone, other malware send expensive premium SMS. Security apps compare known malware from their database and warn you about dubious downloads.

• The test winner is ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus with a grade of 1.8: ESET reliably protected against Trojans in the test and almost never triggers a false alarm. Price: 10 euros per year.
• The search for Trojans works pretty quickly with ESET - even on older and slower phones, Warentest praises. In addition, the app draws very little power, even if it is active in the background all the time.
• If the phone is stolen, you can locate it from the PC thanks to the app. It can also take pictures of the thief in secret. Only phishing websites are not recognized well by ESET.

Security apps for the smartphone

Avast security app in second place in goods test

• The Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus app performs almost as well (rating 1.9): It offers the best protection of all apps. Because in addition to malware and spyware, dubious phishing websites that want to read your account data are also identified.
• If you lose your cell phone, you can locate it via the app and delete all private data in hopeless cases. Price: 15 euros per year.
• Even if Avast offers better protection functions, the app is rated lower overall. This is due to the comparatively poor help from the support and the somewhat higher power consumption of the app. However, it still remains completely in line.

Inadequate protection: one in three Trojans is not detected

• According to Stiftung Warentest, the security apps from AMC, Lookout and Trustlook do not offer good protection: 500 to 600 of 1, 500 pests were not recognized.
• 360 Security, CM Security and Trustlook are permanently free, but all got a "poor" in the test: Not a single app protected against fraudulent websites on the Internet. In addition, only CM Security had useful protection against Trojans.
• In the event of theft, locations, locking and deletion of private data also do not work properly. The free apps send private data unencrypted - data protection and security look different. All details can be found at test.de.

Conclusion: Security for the Android smartphone has its price

• Most smartphones contain innumerable private photos, videos and many passwords are saved in the settings.
• So that private data is not misused or the smartphone is blocked by a trojan, security apps like the test winner ESET Mobile Security are a must.
• All free security apps are rattled mercilessly in the test. For good protection you pay 10 to 15 euros a year. This is also confirmed by the test results from AV-Comparatives: Avast and ESET were also at the top here.

Virus protection app for Android: necessary or not?

On the next page you will find numerous tricks to protect your Android smartphone.