### Unlocking ESET’s Android Protection
**ESET**, a well-known name in the cybersecurity landscape, offers a protective line that’s particularly valuable for Android devices. While ESET provides a free antivirus option, users seeking robust security features need to consider its Premium edition, which requires one of your licenses. Recently, I activated this edition on my testing device—the Pixel 9 Pro—after receiving an installation link via the ESET Home portal.
### Impressive Lab Scores
When evaluating antivirus solutions, I lean heavily on independent lab tests, particularly regarding effectiveness and efficiency. Among the five testing labs I consistently consult for Windows antivirus reviews, three also assessed Android security applications, including ESET. In Windows tests, ESET showcased stellar results, scoring perfectly in four out of five lab evaluations.
ESET’s Android scores, while strong, didn’t reach 100%. The **AV-Test Institute**, which ranks apps based on Protection, Performance, and Usability, awarded ESET an impressive **17.5 out of 18 points**, designating it as a Top Product. However, note that the most current test report did not encompass ESET. In a shared evaluation from **AV-Comparatives**, ESET demonstrated protective capabilities at a commendable **99.6%**, with only **Bitdefender** achieving the coveted 100% score. In a different assessment from **MRG-Effitas**, ESET matched competitors like Avast and Norton at **99.29%** accuracy, leaving the perfect score to others like Bitdefender.
### Initiating Your Android Experience
Getting started with ESET on Android involves a standard process, which includes granting the necessary permissions for optimum performance. After installation, the app performed a quick scan and prompted me to enhance security by enabling six key features: Anti-Phishing, Anti-Theft, App Lock, Call Filter, Payment Protection, and Scheduled Scan. Activating these features entails granting further permissions; for instance, App Lock requires usage data access while Anti-Theft needs location and camera permissions, along with Device Administrator rights to function correctly.
*Credit: ESET/PCMag*
Among these features, **App Lock** allows users to protect sensitive applications with an additional PIN. This extra layer ensures that even an inquisitive friend, borrowing your phone, cannot snoop into your emails. Furthermore, this feature is similar to solutions provided by **Bitdefender** and **McAfee**, enhancing privacy on devices.
### The Anti-Theft Armor
ESET’s anti-theft capabilities mirror its offerings on Windows, although some optimization might be necessary for full activation. Via the **ESET Home** web portal, users can mark their device as missing, triggering lockout features alongside periodic location checks. Users can even remotely wipe the device or sound a loud alarm if they suspect their Android device is close by.
Distinctively, ESET’s anti-theft measures lock the device automatically after three failed login attempts and take a picture of whoever is attempting to access it. It also has a feature to lock your device if the SIM card is removed—something I couldn’t verify since my testing device lacks cellular capability.
*Credit: ESET/PCMag*
After following the initial recommendations, the app interface closely resembles its Windows counterpart. A clean white background hosts blue buttons organized into three main categories: **Security**, **Privacy**, and **Device**. The **Security** panel summarizes the active status, while **Privacy** encompasses the critical Anti-Theft and App Lock functions. The **Device** category features the Call Filter and Security Audit components.
### Exploring Noteworthy Features
Key to ESET’s suite is the **Anti-Phishing** feature, designed to safeguard various apps, including Chrome and social media platforms. I tested its efficacy against real phishing attempts, and the app consistently flagged malicious pages successfully. Other competitors, like Bitdefender and Norton, also offer similar defenses against phishing attacks.
The **Payment Protection** feature, although initiated through a different mechanism on Android, allows you to secure specific apps under what they call the Safe Launcher. Enhanced protection occurs not just during browser usage but within various shopping applications.
*Credit: ESET/PCMag*
The **Call Filter** feature requires permissions to manage calls and access your contacts. This utility grants users the ability to weed out unwanted calls, including an option to block the most recent caller immediately. Unfortunately, since my test device is devoid of calling capabilities, I couldn’t validate this feature.
*Credit: ESET/PCMag*
Similarly, the **Security Audit** function evaluates applications that might pose privacy risks, highlighting permissions that many users overlook. By alerting users to potentially dangerous apps, ESET encourages regular audits of permissions on installed applications.
What makes ESET’s offerings compelling is that it blends essential antivirus functions with new features like Payment Protection and Call Filter, anchoring its place among the most formidable **Android security utilities** available today.
*Credit: ESET/PCMag*
As the landscape of mobile security continues to evolve, ESET positions itself as a compelling option for users seeking comprehensive protection for their Android devices.
