AV-TEST: 14 Android Security Apps Undergo Extended Testing
IT security institute AV-TEST has evaluated the performance of 14 Android security applications over a six-month period. The test revealed significant differences in the apps' ability to protect devices against malware.
The IT security institute AV-TEST has released a comprehensive review of 14 security applications designed for the Android operating system. The test, conducted from January to June 2020, assessed the apps' continuous protection capabilities against malicious applications and trojans.
The testing focused on apps intended for private users, and notably, Google's native Play Protect showed weaker performance compared to specialized applications. Play Protect identified only 64.6% of real-time threats and 45.4% of older malware samples, whereas several competing apps achieved 100% detection rates.
In overall scoring, which considered protection, system load, and usability, five applications achieved the maximum score of 18 out of 18: Avira, Bitdefender, G Data, NortonLifeLock, and Trend Micro. Kaspersky, securiON, AhnLab, and McAfee also ranked highly, demonstrating robust protection capabilities.
The study underscores that while users in the Android ecosystem often rely on the system's built-in security mechanisms, dedicated security apps offer significantly better protection against the growing volume of malware. The apps' ability to safeguard devices without substantial performance degradation was also a key evaluation criterion.