Many antivirus apps offer additional features that can increase your smartphone’s safety. Some of these features include the ability to manage passwords to secure your login credentials, VPN functionality for enhanced security and privacy, and tools to assist in locating or remotely wipe out stolen smartphones.

Most antivirus applications will test your phone on a regular basis to look for malware signatures that could have infected the phone. They usually run these tests according to a schedule that you set and will inform you of any threats. They will also test your Wi-Fi connection to ensure you’re not connecting to unsecure networks which could expose your personal data to attackers.

Certain antiviruses can come with additional features, such as anti-theft protection or a call blocker, based on the provider. Kaspersky, for example, offers a feature that will take three photos of the person who is trying to unlock your device. It also allows you to lock or wipe it remotely. Other providers have system tune-up features that can eliminate junk files and accelerate your device, while others have an app that can alert you to dangerous applications or settings.

You can gauge how well your phone is secured by analyzing the ranking of independent testing laboratories. Some of these rankings are determined by the number of threats detected as well as other factors like how quickly the service best choice av review identifies threats and eliminates them. Some companies also go above and beyond, providing features like a money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support.