This is not exactly surprising, as many apps out there track their users, but antivirus and similar apps are all about protecting their users. So, it would be nice if they don’t track you while trying to keep malware away. Some of these apps seem to be quite sketchy in their practices.
Many antivirus apps track you, and some seem to be quite sketchy as well
Based on this report, out of the 40 most downloaded cleaning and antivirus apps in the Google Play Store, just two are clean of obvious data privacy threats. That’s according to the latest report by Cybernews. Now, the two apps that are tracker-free, are the ‘Super Antivirus – Clean Virus’ and ‘VG Enterprise Web SDK’. Even those two apps did not impress when it comes to security, though. Cybernews did not exactly share the details behind its assessment, so keep that in mind.
Six of the listed apps contain links to “potentially malicious domains”
Cybernews also didn’t detail the amount or type of data tracked by the other 36 apps. What the company did mention, is that six of those apps contain links to “potentially malicious domains”. Needless to say, that is worrisome. Those six apps are listed below
Dr. Capsule Antivirus, CleanerGO Security – AntiVirus, AppLock, BoosterVirus Hunter 2021 Virus Scanner and Phone CleanerAVC Antivirus & Virus CleanerFancy Booster – Cleaner, Antivirus & Speed UpPhone Junk – Clean Master
Now, the company also shared a list of apps that are “only” tracking your data. Here’s a list.
Nova Security – Virus CleanerAntivirus, Virus Cleaner, Booster – Fancy SecurityFancy Battery – Battery Saver, Booster, CleanerFancy Cleaner – Boost, CleanerSmart SecuritySmart SecurityKeep Clean Cleaner, AntivirusSafe Security – Antivirus, Booster, Phone CleanerAPUS Security Antivirus MasterAntivirus One – Virus CleanerFileMaster Manage&Power CleanMemory cleaner Speed booster and junk removalOne Booster Antivirus and CleanerPhone Security – Antivirus, Cleaner, BoosterPoMelo File Explorer & CleanerOne Security Antivirus, CleanPhone Cleaner – Virus cleanerPowerful Phone Cleaner – Cleaner & BoosterVirus Remover – security apps, booster, coolerSmart CleanerAntivirus – Cleaner + VPNCPU Cooler – Antivirus, CleanPhone Cleaner, Booster, MasterSHAREit Lite – Share and File Transfer, File ManageSuper Clean – Master of CleanerSmart Clean – Booster, CleanerAntivirus And Virus Cleaner LockClean Guard Phone CleanerJioSecurity Mobile Security & AntivirusAntivirus – Virus CleanerSecurity Antivirus – Max Cleaner
The image Cybernews shared is included below. The higher the score, the better the security features are (tracking aside).
Some people think antivirus apps are not necessary on Android
So, should you avoid antivirus / cleaning apps altogether? Well, depending on who you ask, antivirus apps may not even be necessary on Android, at all. You just have to be careful where you download apps from, and what permissions you give them. That’s not something everyone would agree on, though, as some people think antivirus apps are a must. It’s up to you to decide.
