AV-Comparatives, an independent security testing lab based in Innsbruck, Austria, has released its highly anticipated 2023 investigation report on antivirus apps for the Android mobile platform. The comprehensive study evaluated nine popular security apps, including those developed by Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender, ESET, Kaspersky, Securion, Trend Micro, and Google‘s built-in security measures.

Using the latest Android 13 operating system, AV-Comparatives rigorously examined the performance of these apps in terms of malware protection, battery usage, and anti-theft functionality. The study utilized over 2700 recent malicious applications to assess the effectiveness of third-party antivirus products in safeguarding smartphones against Android malware.

To ensure that the tested products maintain a balance between protection and false alarms, a false-positive test was conducted using 500 legitimate apps. Furthermore, the reliability of anti-theft features was evaluated, enabling users to locate, lock, and wipe private data on lost or stolen devices.

Addressing a common concern about mobile security programs, AV-Comparatives performed a battery-drain test to measure the impact of each product on battery life during typical phone usage activities such as making calls, surfing the Internet, watching videos, and sending emails.

In addition to the test results, the report provides valuable security advice and information for Android users. It discusses the security measures integrated into Android 13 and their impact on third-party security apps, along with practical security tips tailored to Android users.