Antivirus software keeps your phone secure from malware and other threats, but they also offer additional features that improve the security of your smartphone. They can include a password manager that helps safeguard your login information, VPN functionality to enhance your privacy and security and tools to help you find or remotely wipe stolen phones.

Most antivirus services check your phone frequently to look for evidence of malware that might have infected your device. They will usually run these tests according to a set schedule you set, and notify you of any dangers. They also monitor your Wi-Fi connections to ensure that you’re not connecting with unsecure networks that could expose your personal information to attackers.

Some antiviruses may come with additional features, like anti-theft or a call blocker, based on the provider. Kaspersky, for example, has a feature that can take three pictures of the person trying to gain access to your device. It also allows users to wipe or lock it remotely. Other providers have system tune-up options that remove junk files and improve the speed of your device, while others include tools that warn you about unsafe apps or settings.

A good way to evaluate the level of security a service offers your phone is to look at how it scores in the protection ratings of independent testing secure online document storage labs. Some of these rankings are based on the amount of threats detected, whereas others consider things like how quickly and efficiently the service detects and eliminates threats. Certain services go beyond the norm, providing features such as the money back guarantee and 24/7 customer assistance.