Apps you can't do without on your smartphone

Here are the apps I consider essential to keep our smartphones protected and, above all, running faster (I think we’re all pretty interested in that last point). All of these apps are free.

Antivirus and cleaning

Clean Master : This app not only scans every new program you download from Google Play, it also optimises storage space and system RAM. It’s aimed at cleaning and optimising the device, but it also has an antivirus module

CM Security : A very good antivirus, the security tool from the Clean Master family. Besides the antivirus engine, it includes anti-theft, app lock and call and SMS blocking, among other features. It has a vulnerability scanner covering different aspects of the device and a backup system for messages, contacts, photos and call logs.

Kaspersky (FREE version): A powerful antivirus and internet security app. (It can be a bit “heavy” for smaller smartphones, though.)

Avast : Antivirus and internet security. It includes call and SMS filtering, as well as an “Anti-Theft” system that lets you locate and lock the device remotely. It has a backup system, but with some restrictions unless you buy the premium version.

AVG : Antivirus and internet security. It also has anti-theft and call and SMS blocking features.

Important note:

Please don’t install several antivirus apps at the same time, as this will make the device run much more slowly than normal and in some cases can cause false positives, errors and/or system instability. In particular, the only two apps I recommend combining are Clean Master and CM Antivirus, as they complement each other.

Protection

Kaspersky QR Scanner : When scanning QR codes, there’s always a risk of scanning a malicious link that could infect our device. This app detects fraudulent links, removing that risk.

Optimisation

Startup Manager : An interesting app that, without needing root, lets us stop the device from launching apps when it starts up. This speeds up the device a lot, avoiding overloading it with programs we don’t use often.

The best antivirus apps according to AV-Comparatives.

AV…?

AV-Comparatives is a completely independent non-profit organisation whose goal is to bring the public a series of efficiency and performance tests of the different antivirus brands, completely free of charge.

AV – Latest comparisons, antivirus for smartphones

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Bonus

Do you want to download, or have you already downloaded, an app and want to check whether it’s infected? AV-Comparatives offers a free tool that checks the program before you install it on your phone. Click the image below and then upload your file on the website.