Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (for Android)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (for Android)
Antivirus Scan
Out of an abundance of caution, I don’t perform live malware testing when reviewing Android security apps. Instead, I leave it to the professionals. According to preliminary results from independent labAV-Test, Malwarebytes detected more than 90 percent of the malicious sample files used in their evaluation. That’s below the last-recorded average detection rate, but we’ll update the review when the final figures are released. For comparison, Editors’ Choice winnerBitdefender Mobile Security and Antivirus detected 100 percent of AV-Test’s samples when it was tested in November 2014.
During my testing, I decided to revamp how I evaluate user impact by incorporating scores from the Antutu and Geekbench benchmarking apps. I ran each app on my Samsung Galaxy S5 with Malwarebytes installed, without Malwarebytes installed, and on a freshly wiped phone. These tests show a slight, but likely insignificant, impact on device performance. Malwarebytes is the first app I’ve tested in this manner, so we’ll have to wait and see how it compares.
These results were mirrored in my hands-on testing, in which I found that an antivirus scan takes an average of 12.98 seconds to complete, and will grab just 0.7 percent of your total CPU power. Speedwise, that’s nearly as fast as Bitdefender. I had no trouble playing Minecraft – Pocket Edition with 12 apps running in the background and Malwarebytes performing a scan. That said, Malwarebytes performs a lengthy initial scan—nearly six minutes—the first time you use the app.
Should Malwarebytes detect a malicious app, it gives you the option to ignore it, delete it, or whitelist it. The last option removes the suspect app from future scans. If you’re an app developer or deal with apps from outside Google Play (which, for safety’s sake, you really shouldn’t do), this is a handy tool. If you accidentally whitelist an app, removing it from the list and putting it back in the line of fire is a snap.
I was pleased to see that Malwarebytes is capable of scanning apps before they launch. I downloaded three non-malicious apps that are designed to trip malware detection software, and Malwarebytes detected all three.
You can run scans manually or schedule them for a convenient time. By default, the app performs a scan every day at noon and whenever the OS is updated.
Anti-Theft and More
Though malware makes headlines, security experts agree that loss and theft are the biggest threats to Android devices. With that in mind, many security developers include anti-theft tools in their apps. Malwarebytes does not, instead giving you link to the mobile site for the excellent Android Device Manager. This service is integrated at the OS level by Google, and lets you remotely lock, locate, and wipe your Android device.
Malwarebytes also does not offer Webprotection, a feature common among Android apps. Not surprisingly, it did not budge when I loaded up the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization’s tests for a phishing page. Malwarebytes also checks links sent via SMS against a daily updated database of malicious URLs. Though mostly invisible to the user, this is a great feature as SMS spam is sometimes used to spread scams and malware.
Malwarebytes includes a Privacy Manager tool that sorts apps by the permissions they request. These categories include Can Cost You Money and Monitor Calls. The goal is to let users decide if an app is worth the potential risk. For example, if a keyboard app is listed as Monitor Calls, you might want a different keyboard app.
There’s also an App Manager, which simply shows which apps are installed and which are currently running. The Running tab is fairly useful, since it includes some apps that run in the background. Most important is the Whitelist tab. Here, you can view and remove apps that you’ve trusted by that Malwarebytes has previously flagged as malicious.
The average security app is now expected to include a myriad of extras. But this isn’t always a good thing. While I loved the everything-but-the-kitchen sink approach of Avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus, I thoughtQihoo 360 Security was bloated with the sheer number of tools it included. But I do think that Malwarebytes is a little light on features. For example, it has no SIM warnings should your SIM card be removed, and no SMS controls to remotely control your phone. Of course, if you need these features, you could simply install a stand-alone app, likeBitdefender Anti-Theft.
But It’s Free!
Though Malwarebytes Anti-Malware doesn’t offer much, there’s a good argument to be made that a slim product is a good thing. Google already supplies anti-theft tools with the Android Device Manager, and most modern browsers should flag the most common Web threats.
That said, Avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus is also free, and it offers all the features of a for-pay security app and more besides. That’s an unbeatable value. Malwarebytes provides the basics, but Avast goes above and beyond and remains my Editors’ Choice for free Android security apps.
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