Expert review
Plus points
- Many useful functions
- Extra smart anti-theft protection
- Good price
Our verdict
If you don’t need a VPN, this is a security package that delivers a lot for a good price. Excellent virus and web protection is complemented by the most versatile mobile anti-theft protection I’ve ever seen.
Price upon review
This value shows the geolocated price text for product undefined
Best price today
Free
Price upon review
From Free (Premium $14.99 per year)
Best prices today: ESET Mobile Security for Android
Free
There is a free version of Eset Mobile Security, but it can be easy to miss during the installation process. You won’t miss much though, as it only protects against classic malicious apps like Trojans and the like.
That protection is at the level of Google Play Protect and misses the occasional threats that Avast and Bitdefender, for example, detect, albeit very few. But without more free features, you might as well use Play Protect. However, if your mobile does not support this, this may be an option.
If you want more you’ll need a subscription, which starts from £9.99 per year for one device. But you can still try the app for free, as the first month is free (just like F-Secure) and you can freely cancel the subscription before the first payment is due.
If you have an Eset Home Security package with multiple licenses, you can also use one of these packages to install the Android or iOS version. Keep in mind that you will be better off buy via the internet versus the app because the prices are cheaper.
The app has a traditional antivirus engine that scans and detects malware in apps before installing or running them. Plus, you also get active anti-phishing protection, an extra layer of protection on browsers, Facebook, Instagram and similar apps.
Solid theft protection
The app can also block text messages that contain malicious links. Major banking apps, as well as Bank ID, Paypal and Swish, are said to offer some sort of comprehensive protection against phishing, but it’s not clear how this works.
Also you get an anti-theft protection for your mobile phone, which can lock and track the phone with an IP number and GPS, and it is also possible to activate the automatic lock of the phone if someone tries to replace the SIM card.
You can also select apps that you want extra protection and that require a PIN or fingerprint to launch them. Finally, you get a simple manual phone number block list. You see your call history and can choose which numbers you no longer want to be bothered by. However, it is no more advanced than that, and not linked to any registry of well-known telemarketers or anything like that.
The interface is easy to use and clear, but in some situations it is a bit annoying with pop-ups appearing above other apps. I would have preferred if it just worked in the background, without being visible. I don’t need to be constantly reminded that Eset is there and doing well.
Specifications
- App control
- App lock
- Anti-theft
- Browser protection
- Bank protection
- Number blocking
- Wi-Fi control
- Backup
- Android 6+
This article originally appeared in our sister publication PC for Alla and was translated and adapted from Swedish.
