Tips for a malware-free Android phone

July 23, 2011, 7:54 AM — Since more and more malware is emerging for the Android platform every day, you must pay strict attention to what is happening on your phone or tablet. Smartphones are in substance computers--and all computers are vulnerable to viruses, phishing, and other attacks from malicious software.

Put a malware and antivirus scanner on your phone: Several different big-name security companies already offer mobile-security options, many of them free. Antivirus apps just as Lookout Mobile Security can scan your phone and make sure that no malware is installed. On top of that, most of the utilities include features that allow you to track your phone--and like as not even remotely lock it and wipe your personal data--if you lose the handset.

Watch out for scams: Believe it or not, your smartphone is prone to phishing scams, malicious sites, and drive-by downloads, such as your PC is. Malicious sites often try to trick people into entering personal information about themselves; moreover annoying, nevertheless, is some sites' ability to automatically download malware to your phone. Because of a phone's smaller screen, users are three times more likely to click a suspicious link on a phone than when they are using a PC. Again, even though, Lookout Mobile Security has your back: Its Safe Browsing feature is currently available in the Premium version of its app.