Safe mobile security and battery saving apps, any recommendations?

[AC Question]

Safe mobile security and battery saving apps

I started to get a bad feeling about Cheetah mobile security which I have on my android phone, upon the recommendation of a friend. I got the feeling it is a little too intrusive. Then read about it on this site and was shocked about the concerns about CM security's data collection and privacy practices. Also I got a message from Google that I needed to get DU battery saver because my battery was overheating, this app seemed intrusive also, and then I read on this site about DU could be damaging my phone.

Are there any Safe & Free mobile security apps out there. As well as battery saver apps. Any recommendations? Thanks

 

[belodion]

Re: Safe mobile security and battery saving apps

For battery, look at the Greenify app.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Safe mobile security and battery saving apps

Welcome to Android Central! Here are my thoughts on security apps:

For the most part, it's still quite difficult to get an actual virus on your phone, because malware requires you to manually accept the installation (which is why they try to fool you into thinking you're installing something legitimate). Use common sense:

1. Avoid shady websites that deal with things like porn, gambling, and "free" (aka pirated) apps/music/movies.

2. Never ever tap on a link that appears in a popup while browsing, especially if they're warning you that your phone is infected--they're just trying to scare you into installing some bogus "antivirus" app that is probably malicious itself.

3. Only install apps from well-established app sources like Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore. Read a bunch of app reviews before installing an app to look for any complaints about adware or suspected malware.

4. Turn on Google's "Verify Apps" function. This allows Google to periodically scan your phone's apps to look for malware. It's usually in your Google Settings app, under Security (although it might also be in the main System Settings, in Settings>Security).