ESET Home Security Essential Review: Comprehensive Protection Backed by Outstanding Lab Performance

### Introduction to ESET’s Android Antivirus Protection

ESET offers a noteworthy solution for Android users seeking antivirus protection. While a free version is available, the premium features require activation through a paid license. I had the opportunity to test this on my Pixel 9 Pro, activated using one of my ESET licenses, enabling access to the full range of premium features.

### Impressive Lab Scores for Android Security

ESET’s performance in third-party testing labs is commendable, particularly for Android antivirus applications. Out of five labs that I monitor for Windows antivirus evaluations, three also assess Android security apps, including ESET. While ESET has achieved perfect scores in Windows environments from four out of five labs, its Android results are similarly robust—though not infallible.

The **AV-Test Institute** assesses Android applications using a similar framework to its Windows evaluations, focusing on Protection, Performance, and Usability. In its last test involving ESET, the application scored an impressive 17.5 out of 18, earning recognition as a “Top Product,” although it is worth noting that this lab has not featured ESET in its more recent Android reports.

In the latest evaluations from **AV-Comparatives**, ESET garnered a protective score of 99.6%, just shy of Bitdefender’s perfect 100%. Competitors ranged between 99.5% to 99.9%, illustrating a tight competition in the realm of mobile security.

**MRG-Effitas** measures antivirus accuracy across various criteria, and ESET achieved a solid score of 99.29%, comparable to other well-regarded names like Avast and Norton. Nonetheless, Bitdefender, F-Secure, Malwarebytes, and McAfee all reached perfect scores of 100%. In summary, while ESET performs admirably in Android lab tests, it trails close behind the leaders like Bitdefender.

### Getting Started with ESET on Android

When beginning with the ESET app, users will notice that it requests several permissions essential for its protective functions. After installation, a quick scan is launched automatically, where the app advises users to enhance security by activating additional protective components: Anti-Phishing, Anti-Theft, App Lock, Call Filter, Payment Protection, and Scheduled Scan. Enabling these features necessitates granting various permissions, such as device location for Anti-Theft and usage data for App Lock.


*(Credit: ESET/PCMag)*

Among the notable features, **App Lock** secures sensitive applications with a secondary PIN, which is especially beneficial if someone borrows your unlocked phone. While this functionality is similar to that offered by other competitors such as Bitdefender, ESET does not yet provide the same discretion features.

### Exploring Anti-Theft Features

The Anti-Theft capabilities in ESET’s app mirror those found in its desktop counterparts. Activation may require several optimization steps, but from the ESET Home web portal, users can lock their device if marked as missing, routinely check its location, or remotely wipe data. If the device is nearby, a siren can also be triggered.

ESET’s anti-theft controls include a distinctive SIM card lock feature, which activates if the SIM card is removed—a security layer found in other solutions like Bitdefender. Unfortunately, the testing device I used does not support cellular data, precluding the ability to test this functionality.

Moreover, the app locks the device automatically after three failed login attempts and captures a photo of any would-be intruder, enhancing security further.


*(Credit: ESET/PCMag)*

As users activate recommendations and permissions, the app interface aligns closely with its Windows edition, characterized by a clean white background with blue accents, organizing features into three main categories: **Security**, **Privacy**, and **Device**. Users can access a Security Report detailing systems and options to manage antivirus, anti-phishing, and more.

### Security Features Worth Noting

One useful feature to enable is **Anti-Phishing**. This feature offers protection across various applications, including popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox, as well as social media apps like Facebook and Instagram. During testing, the app effectively identified phishing attempts, earning it a competitive edge alongside other prominent solutions like Bitdefender and Norton.


*(Credit: ESET/PCMag)*

ESET’s **Payment Protection** feature functions differently on Android than it does on Windows. Instead of creating a secure browser window, users can designate certain apps—like banking or shopping—to benefit from enhanced security, which confines possible threats.


*(Credit: ESET/PCMag)*

The **Call Filter** provides users with a means to block unwanted calls. After granting access to contacts and notifications, the app can easily filter out unwanted callers, a helpful aspect for those who frequently receive unsolicited or spam calls. Unfortunately, the testing device did not support telephony functions.


*(Credit: ESET/PCMag)*

Lastly, ESET’s **Security Audit** feature acts similarly to diagnostic tools in competitors’ offerings. It scans for risky permissions across installed applications, such as access to location or contact lists, urging users to review and adjust app settings accordingly. The audit also monitors Android device settings for potential configuration issues, such as rooting or unauthorized debugging.

In summation, while ESET’s Android antivirus app may have some competition, its amalgamation of traditional security measures, including Anti-Phishing, Payment Protection, a comprehensive security audit, and more, solidifies its position as a formidable Android security utility. Users can confidently navigate an increasingly digital world with ESET’s protection at their fingertips.