Having to deal with a spyware infection on your phone is an unpleasant experience that no Android user would look forward to. Your otherwise functional phone can randomly open strange browser tabs, quickly lose the battery, or even become completely unusable. And don’t even try to have your personal data stolen.
If you’ve ever been in this situation and want to know how to detect spyware on your phone, anti-spyware applications can help you find and remove pesky malware.
A large percentage of spyware infections come from applications available on third-party stores. however, research reveals that some Play Store apps are also guilty. Applications like Xender, Amber Weather Widget, Z Camera and Touchpal have been used in the past to distribute potentially unwanted spyware.
Some of the most common types of spyware that you will find on the Google Play Store today are Pegasus, DroidJack, TiSpy and SpyHuman. Pegasus is the best known of them, capable of hijacking your Android device.
The main challenge for spyware is that most antivirus programs barely detect it as malicious. A dedicated spyware detector is required. Here is our 5 best spyware detection app for Android that will help you locate and remove spyware from your Android device.
1. Malwarebytes Security
For those who don’t want to compromise on the security of their device, Malwarebytes is the perfect option for you. It is one of the most trusted and reputable names in the security industry. They bring the same world class anti-spyware detection and removal as they are famous for Windows on Android.
Malwarebytes’ configuration wizard simplifies the process of installing applications, scanning devices, and removing spyware. The free version will detect and remove all known spyware.
The Premium version will analyze incoming messages and immediately block malicious URLs. Think of it as immunizing your phone against any future spyware from your phone’s infiltration. You can try the premium version for free for 30 days. Thereafter, a monthly subscription of $ 1.3 is required – a reasonable fee for the level of spyware protection it offers.
2. Anti Spy (SpyWare removal)
Our most recommended option if you’re looking for the best free anti-spyware app for Android. The major drawback is the presence of rather intrusive advertisements. Otherwise, this anti-spyware app for Android gets the job done.
The key feature we liked the most is that Anti Spy checks apps with access to the active device administrator, who controls the critical functions of your Android devices. It then continues not only to detect and remove all malicious spyware, but also to whitelist trusted applications.
3. Incognito – Removal of spyware by Arcane Solutions
If you’re looking to find hidden spyware on your Android, Incognito brings a flawless approach to the table. Its anti-spyware detection is highly specialized. The free version of incognito performs two functions: 1) it finds a malicious file and 2) eliminates it.
The developer, Arcane Solutions, has a team of former military, government and private cybersecurity experts with over 50 years of combined experience. At $ 0.37 per month, you can purchase a pro-version subscription that provides real-time protection against spyware applications. A pro subscription also offers an ad-free experience.
4. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Kaspersky is one of the popular names among many users of cybersecurity technology. We will therefore wonder why it ranks much lower than expected. But as noted earlier, most traditional antivirus applications have a hard time detecting spyware.
Although Kaspersky Mobile does not offer an individual spyware detection and removal feature, its standard antivirus scan can detect most spyware files. The application allows you to choose between three scanning options: quick scan, full scan and file scan. For more effective results, a full analysis is recommended. With a rating of 4.8 out of more than 3 million reviews on Play Market, Kaspersky is a reliable choice for betting when your Android device is infected with spyware. After a one-month free trial, the user can opt for a monthly subscription starting at $ 1.3.
5. Avast Mobile Security
Another well-known antivirus application, Avast can successfully detect spyware and unwanted viruses. With standard Avast scanning, the application more often than not can detect all kinds of malicious files, including spyware.
The main strength of Avast is its ability to work transparently in the background to remove all potentially harmful spyware before it is downloaded. In AV-Test’s assessments of Android security products, the app performed better than its competitors by detecting 100% of malware threats launched on it.
The “Ultimate-Multi” plan is packed with features but will cost you $ 27.99 per month – making it the most expensive solution on this list. However, there is another “Ultimate” plan that costs $ 8.49 for the monthly subscription.
Honorable mentions
Two honorable mentions go to Bitdefender Antivirus and Norton Mobile Security. These two applications are excellent anti-spyware and anti-virus software for your Android device. Bitdefender, in particular, is backed by expert Android cybersecurity authorities. It is highly appreciated for its unrivaled detection and performance. On the other hand, the Norton app is easy to navigate and comes with an additional waste cleaner.
The best way to keep your Android device safe is to avoid downloading and installing apps from unknown sources. Respect the protected Google Play apps and use one of the spyware detection and removal apps on our list to protect your Android device from unwanted malware.