For some time now, malware has been more and more numerous on smartphones and tablets, whether on Android, iOS or Windows and the question that many are asking: do I have to install or notAn antivirus to protect me?In this file, we will see together whether it is necessary at present or not.

Virus?Malware?Trojan horse ?Worm ?But what is it, then ?

This is a program that has been developed in order to harm, recover data or take control of a computer system.In general, developers of this kind of codes target the most popular bones.With the arrival of smartphones and tablets for a few years now, whether they are on Android for Google, iOS for Apple or Windows Phone for Microsoft, they have become the new targets of these malicious people.This is why you have to be wary of applications and games that you can download.

What am I risking ?

If your smartphone is infected, malware can recover your personal data to resell it, it can also erase all of your data or cause dysfunctions of your device, such as looping, emptying your battery or installing yourInhang for applications and games paid as is the case with the Ghost Push code under Android.

Android, iOS or Windows Phone?Who is the most vulnerable?

Three systems are currently dominating the market, but the most affected is Android.Why ?Well simply because it is a more open system, which allows the installation of applications from a memory card, an alternative application market or directly by internet.iOS and Windows Phone being more closed, malicious people can much more difficult to spread viruses.Nevertheless, it can still happen as we could see last September with XCodeghost, malware that had contaminated more than 100 applications on Apple store.

For Microsoft, it's the same as for the apple.For the moment there is not really viruses or other malware, but with the arrival of Windows 10 on mobile and the unification of the system, it is likely that in the coming months Windows 10 is a victim of malicious code onmobile, pending among the 3, Microsoft's OS is the safest.Especially because it has the least users.

However, the 3 publishers do what is necessary to secure their systems by quickly correcting flaws and analyzing the applications and games available on their markets.

Some examples of mobile malware

For Android (non -exhaustive list)):

For iOS (non -exhaustive list)):

For Windows Phone, there are not really malware at the moment, these are rather applications that display advertising or send you to unregistered websites.

Some statistics

In early 2015, Alcatel-Lucent had published a report indicating that more than 16 million smartphones had been contaminated by malware, viruses or other type of malware or approximately 0.68 % of the world's terminals.Nevertheless, the figures increase from month to month.

How to protect yourself from these malware?

1.Your applications on the official store you will download

One of the first things to do if you don't want to be infected is to download your applications and games on the store of publishers.Alternative application stores are not most secure and this is where the malware are the most numerous, not to mention the sites that offer illegal download a game or an application that normally is paid.

Be careful all the same!Some developers use names similar to popular applications or games to go wrong.To thwart this bad trick, before downloading and installing, check the number of comments, the evaluation, and if it is indeed the application or the official game with the publisher.When GTA 5 was released, we noticed an impressive number of applications taking up the name Ifruit, the companion-app of the game on smartphone, when it was not yet available.

Nevertheless, there are secure alternative application stores, such as the Amazon Underground, 1mobile, Slideme, as well as the blinds of manufacturers.Others like Aptoide, are not necessarily without danger if you add alternative sources to download applications and games illegally.

2.Permissions requested you will check

The second thing to be careful is the permissions requested by the applications.Indeed, when you install a file manager on your device, it does not need to access your directory, or even any feature that has nothing to do with the reading of your storage space,So beware of this kind of applications or games.

Do not be afraid if a game asks you for certain permissions, such as access to your Google or Facebook profile to connect, or even geolocation which allows you to find you a closest opponent to you to ensure a certain stability ofConnection for a multiplayer part.

3.Up to date your mobile you will put

Another important point that we must not forget is to update your smartphone, because the editor of your OS corrects the flaws that could be exploited by a malicious person.The problem with this recommendation is that brands using the Android system sometimes abandon the updates of their entry and mid -range devices too quickly, preferring to release a new mobile with similar characteristics with a new version of Android.The only terminals that take advantage of the latest large updates are very often part of the high -end, otherwise you can always opt for a Nexus from Google which is constantly updated for a period of 2 years.

4.Your smartphone you won't hack

If you are tempted to want to add a few features to your device by rooting it for Android or by making a jailbreak of your iPhone, be very careful with the files you will download, because clever little ones can hide malware or other viruses that will contaminateYour computer and your mobile terminal.Root or jailbreaker opens permissions not recommended by manufacturers.

On Android, activate the "Unknown Sources" option in the settings only if you need to download an official application without danger in APK, extension of the installation files of the Google OS.For example, the Amazon Underground market just takes it to activate it.Do not hesitate to deactivate just after this function and above all check the source of your file!

5.If you still want an antivirus, install an antivirus, it's your choice!

For the most paranos, you can opt for an antivirus, but you should know that they are not 100 % effective as is the case on PC.Indeed, they will only detect the malware already known or whose code has been slightly modified, that is why must be observed the instructions above before downloading anything on your smartphone or tablet.In addition, an antivirus will consume energy since it will activate your processor with each analysis, it must therefore be aware that there will be a loss of autonomy after having installed a.

Which antivirus to choose?

If installing an antivirus on mobile is today almost useless, some can still want to do so for additional safety measures.The list can be very long, but here is a small selection that works rather well under Android, because on iOS and Windows Phone, the solutions are non -existent for the reasons mentioned above, these systems are more closed than Android.

Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus

Very popular with PC users, this antivirus will protect you from malicious codes as well as applications whose behavior does not seem normal.It analyzes the applications and games installed, the content of your memory card as well as when you install a new app.As on PC, it is possible to plan a scan of the device when you do not use it.In addition to the antivirus function, it also offers an anti -theftsman with the possibility of geolocating your device, lock it and erase remotely.

This antivirus is available for free on the Android play store, but it is possible to subscribe for 1.99 euros per month to have more features (advertising detector, unlimited application locking, password verification and password and password and password and password and password.Automatic locking after 3 attempts, etc..))

Bitdefender Mobile Security

Another mastodon in the field, Bitdefender!It offers the same features as its competitors with in addition to securing your private data.Latest novelty, the application protects your connected watches.In addition, the solution is multiplanted, so when you buy Bitdefender Total Security, you protect your computer and your mobile devices.However, it is possible to use it only on your smartphone or tablet.The first 14 days are free, then you will have to go to the checkout with a subscription of 0.89 euros per month or 9.95 euros per year.

To download Bitdefender Mobile Security, just go directly to the Android play store.

Kaspersky Internet Security

Like its competitors, it is available for free download, but to take full advantage of it, you will have to get your hands on the wallet, the subscription goes to 14.95 euros per year for 1 device.

Kaspersky offers an ultra -efficient and updated analysis engine very regularly against new threats.Of course, in addition to protecting you from malicious applications, this antivirus secures your data and acts as an anti -thefts thanks to a geolocation and remote control system.

Kaspersky Internet Security is available for free download on the Android Play Store.

Other solutions exist in well -known publishers: