Antivirus software is essential for protecting Android devices from malware, viruses, and other cyber threats. With Android being the most widely used mobile operating system globally, it’s a target for cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities. While Android devices come with some built-in security measures, antivirus software adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring your device and data stay safe. Here’s how antivirus for android software works and why it’s important.
Real-time scanning and monitoring:
One of the primary functions of antivirus software on Android is real-time scanning. Once installed, antivirus software continuously monitors your device for any unusual behavior or suspicious activity. It scans apps as they are downloaded and installed from the Google Play Store or third-party sources. This real-time protection ensures that any threats are detected and neutralized before they can harm your device or compromise your data.
Along with scanning apps during installation, the antivirus software monitors background processes and system operations to detect malware trying to access sensitive information or exploit system vulnerabilities.
Malware detection and removal:
Antivirus software uses a signature-based detection system, which works by comparing the code of downloaded apps and files to a vast database of known malware signatures. When a match is found, the antivirus immediately flags the suspicious file or app. If malware is detected, the antivirus app gives you options to quarantine, delete, or block the threat from running on your device.
Some antivirus solutions also employ heuristic scanning, which helps identify new or unknown threats based on behavior rather than matching known signatures. This is particularly useful for zero-day attacks where malware is newly created and not yet widely recognized.
App and file scanning:
Apart from real-time scanning, antivirus software allows you to manually scan your Android device for malware. This feature allows you to periodically check all apps, files, and system processes to ensure there are no hidden threats. Users can schedule automatic scans at specific intervals, ensuring that their devices are regularly checked without needing to manually initiate the process. In addition, antivirus apps often scan any files you download or share via email or messaging apps to prevent the spread of infected files.