At a glance
Expert rating
Benefits
- Many useful features
- Extra intelligent anti-theft protection
- Good price
Our Verdict
If you don’t feel the need for a VPN, this is a security package that offers a lot at a good price. Excellent virus and web protection is complemented by the most feature-rich mobile anti-theft protection I’ve ever seen.
Price when reviewed
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Best price today
Free
Best prices today: ESET Mobile Security for Android
Free
There is a free version of Eset Mobile Security, but during the installation process it can be easy to miss it. However, you are not missing much, as it is only protection against classic malicious applications like Trojans etc.
This protection is at the level of Google Play Protect and does not take into account occasional threats that Avast and Bitdefender, for example, detect, although very few. But without more free features, you might as well run Play Protect instead. If your mobile does not support it, this may be an option.
If you want more, you’ll need to take out a subscription, which starts from £9.99 per year for one device. But you can still try the app for free because the first month is free (like F-Secure) and you are free to cancel the subscription before the first payment is due.
If you have an Eset Home Security pack with a multi-license, you can also use one of them to install the Android or iOS version. Just note that it’s better to buy via the web rather than the app because the prices are cheaper.
The app has a traditional antivirus engine that scans and detects malware in apps before they are installed or run. On top of that, you also get active anti-phishing protection, which is an extra layer of protection on browsers, Facebook, Instagram and similar apps.
Solid protection against theft
The app can also block text messages containing malicious links. Major banking apps, as well as Bank ID, Paypal and Swish, reportedly have some sort of extensive phishing protection, but it’s unclear how it works.
You also get anti-theft protection for your mobile phone, which can lock the phone and track it with an IP number and GPS, and it is also possible to enable automatic phone locking if someone tries to override the phone. SIM card.
You can also select which apps you want to give extra protection and which require a PIN or fingerprint to launch them. Finally, you get a simple manual block list for phone numbers. You see your call history and can choose the numbers you no longer want to be disturbed by. However, it is no more advanced than that and is not linked to any known telemarketer registry or the like.
The interface is easy to use and clear, but in some situations it is a bit annoying with pop-ups that appear on other apps. I would have preferred it to just run in the background without being visible. I don’t need to be constantly reminded that Eset is here and doing good.
Specifications
- Application control
- Application lock
- Anti-theft
- Browsing protection
- Banking protection
- Number blocker
- Wi-Fi control
- Backup
- Android 6+
This article was originally published in our sister publication PC för Alla and has been translated and adapted from Swedish.
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