Those who have a computer usually also use an anti-virus program. After all, there is a constant threat of danger via the Internet, such as spam e-mails or fake sweepstakes. But is it also important for smartphones to install an antivirus program? How useful this is for Android and iOS phones and what protection virus scanner apps offer is the subject of this article.
A virus scanner detects viruses and malware (malicious and software) and removes them before they can harm the device. To do this, the virus scanner uses profiles to check whether there is already known malware on the device. In addition, the virus scanner analyzes all apps and processes. If it detects suspicious behavior, it banishes the affected app to a quarantine area where it cannot cause any harm.
Android from Google is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world. That is why Android devices are a popular target of hack attacks. The Google Play Store checks most apps, but malicious apps can still be found for download. Even the preinstalled anti-virus program Google Play Protectdoes not provide one hundred percent protection. Those who do not make regular software updates or come into contact with malicious software run the risk of catching a virus.
Manufacturers of well-known antivirus programs for the PC, such as Avast, Avira, McAfee or Norton, offer antivirus apps for Android devices with different offerings. There are both free and paid antivirus scanners for Android. Some with advertising and some without. Some apps offer only the most important features, such as a malware scanner or secure browsing. Other apps also offer services like the Call Blocker to block unwanted calls or a VPN connection for anonymous surfing. These additional features are often available as paid in-app purchases. Current test results of popular Android virus scanners can be found on the website of AV Test .
Those who use an iOS smartphone from Apple do not need an antivirus scanner app. Apple has stronger security mechanisms than Android . Since the distribution of the operating system is low, the attack is hardly worthwhile for criminals. The only way to download apps is via the Apple App Store. Apple itself pre-screens all apps from the store. There are almost no antivirus scanner apps in the App Store. The operating system is built in such a way that apps cannot access other apps. However, Apple users are not protected against phishing emails, chain letters and other scams. Therefore, it is important to perform regular software updates. In addition to vigilance, it can also make sense to install a protection app with features such as WLAN scanners, phishing warnings or an anti-theft function.
When children and young people get their first smartphone, it should be as safe as possible. This also includes protection against viruses. But be careful: no virus scanner can replace a critical approach to e-mails, apps and the like. Find out how you can make your child’s smartphone safer. Talk to your child about careful use of personal data and passwords. Explain to your child how to recognize scam traps online, download apps only from approved stores, and check app permissions.
If you decide to use an antivirus app: install the app together and go through the app settings with your child. Make it clear to your child that no technology is seamless and that he or she must continue to be vigilant when connected to the Internet via smartphone.
To edit photos, make voice calls or send messages, apps need access rights to the camera, pictures, microphone or contacts. Most of the time, these permissions make sense to be able to use the apps fully. Sometimes it is not clear for what purpose apps want to access personal data. To help you review app permissions with your child, we’ll take a closer look at selected permission types in this article.
Here’s how this permission works: Apps are allowed access to the smartphone’s or tablet’s built-in cameras to take photos and videos.
These apps need access to the camera, for example:
Here this function is optional:
This risk must be taken into account:
There is a risk that apps with access to the camera will be used to record users unintentionally. To prevent this, you can attach a cover with a slider to the camera lens, for example.
This is how this permission works: Apps are allowed access to the microphone integrated in the smartphone.
These apps need access to the microphone, for example:
Here this function is optional:
This risk must be taken into account:
Apps that are allowed to access a device’s microphone can use this feature to listen in. Conversations, sounds from TV and radio, or music – there are apps that eavesdrop on their users around the clock and analyze them for keywords. The data is used for personalized advertising or resold for unclear purposes. Consent to this is done by agreeing to the terms of use when downloading the app. For interception, many services use a technology from the manufacturer Alphonso. If you search for it in the App Store or Play Store, you will find all apps that use this software. How exactly you can protect yourself from eavesdropping is explained by MDR in a Brisant feature.
This is how this permission works: Apps can access, modify, forward, and delete stored contact data, as well as search for specific contacts. You receive information about which contact is contacted, when, for how long and via which communication channel.
These apps require access to the contacts, for example:
Here this function is optional:
This risk must be taken into account:
Apps that are allowed to access a device’s contact list can use this feature to collect personal data and analyze contact associations. This means that by accessing contacts, apps collect data from uninvolved people who do not have messenger or social media apps installed themselves. Be aware that your handling of personal data also affects third parties, namely your contacts.
You should also carefully review the following authorization types:
– the location , for example to use navigation apps
– the telephone, for example to call contacts
– The SMS, for example, to send a code for two-factor authentication.
– the calendar, for example to send appointment invitations
– the memory, for example to edit already created pictures and videos
A detailed list of all permission types of Android devices is provided by the AppChecker of the iRights.
Explain to your child what app permissions are, how to set them and how to check them. Encourage your child to use their data sparingly and to protect it. Educate yourself together with your child before installing an app:
If you or your child have granted an authorization that you do not use or are critical of, you can cancel the authorization at any time. See the article on app permissions for instructions on Android and Apple device settings.
“Wait, let me google that real quick!”. You or your child have probably said this sentence before. Google is considered the most visited website in the world. The word “googlen” is used so frequently that it has been in the Duden dictionary since 2004. Whether it’s a search engine, map service or mail account – Google is a natural part of our media usage, because it makes many things in everyday life easier. But what is actually behind it?
Children and young people sometimes equate Google with the Internet. It’s not just young people who use an Android smartphone and are automatically connected to a Google account. They store their pictures in Google Photos, share their location via Google Maps , and use the Google Chrome browser to surf the web.
Adults often remember the early days when Google was “just” a search engine. Google ‘s motto is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and usable.” The company behind it – Alphabet – has developed steadily since this first product and is currently one of the most powerful corporations in the world.
Google ‘s business model is based on collecting and selling users’ data. Users pay for the free use of Google applications by handing over a lot of data. A whole range of services require a Google account, which allows the company to link data to a specific person. Anyone who uses an Android smartphone usually automatically has a Google account because it is required for many smartphone functions.
These Internet applications belong to Google, among others:
Google has come under criticism for its handling of user data. The company is also accused of influencing search results. In addition, questions about copyrights, e.g. of musicians and authors, arise again and again. Google has managed to become irreplaceable for many people. People have become accustomed to Google Search or cannot do without the Google Play Store.
The multi-factor authentication is supposed to keep your own Google account safe from outside attacks. This combines, for example, the entry of the password with another security measure such as an SMS code. Also, Google sends a notification when someone logs in from a device that is not linked to the account. Google automatically hides ads that contain viruses, show fake goods, and violate advertising guidelines. With end-to-end encryption, Google wants to ensure that only the sender and recipient can receive and read messages.
Google ‘s handling of data is problematic, so it is important to use its applications consciously and carefully or to use alternative offerings.
Talk to your child about Google and its business model of selling data. Consider together how you and your child can use data sparingly.
If you don’t want to miss out on certain services, use Google Search, Google News, or Google Maps without an account login. Be sure to enable features like location only when using individual apps, so Google can’t access too much of your data at any time. For younger children, it may be useful to give your child a free trial by using the app Google Family Link For older children, you can use the SafeSearch feature to filter out inappropriate content from searches.
It doesn’t always have to be Google – many offers are more discreet and secure. Familiarize your child with alternative services, such as search engines for kids and teens or the data-saving mapping service Open Street Maps. Those who want to use their Android device without Google – for more privacy and data protection – have to make some settings. Online you can find instructions on how to do it – for examplehere (Attention: Website with advertising).
An hour on the Internet sometimes feels like a few minutes. Adults know this feeling as well as children. A new notification, a new post, now just finish the level and have a quick look at TikTok – but then it’s really over! Many apps are designed to keep us glued to the screen with constant new stimuli. This makes it increasingly difficult to simply put the device down. Special apps for regulating media time or setting options such as screen time aim to help people use media more consciously.
Screen time is available on the iPhone, iPad and MacBook. This allows you to see how much time you spend with which apps every day. Certain apps can be blocked for a certain period of time or after a predefined time has elapsed. It is also possible to block certain content (e.g. age-restricted movies or games). With the help of the
Family Sharing
– another Apple feature – the corresponding settings can also be made on other devices.
You set up screen time either directly on your own device or on your child’s. Alternatively, you can set screen time for each family member individually from your device in Family Sharing. You can also set the screen time for multiple devices in your household by tapping “Share across devices”. This allows you to transfer your specified settings to iPad and other Apple devices as well.
Apple’s support pages have step-by-step instructions on how to set up screen time.
On Android devices, Digital Wellbeing is integrated as a function in the settings as of Android 9. Here you can see at a glance how often the smartphone and the individual apps were used. Android offers three options for regulating media time at once:
Android provides step-by-step instructions on how to set Digital Wellbeing.
Screen time also offers the possibility of a so-called parental control on Apple devices. You can use it to regulate your child’s cell phone use and, for example, to control the number of incoming calls. Prevent purchases from the App Store or content with certain age ratings. Detailed instructions on parental controls are available from Apple Support.
The parental control functions are not directly integrated into the operating system of Android devices. With the free Google app Family Link, you can still keep an eye on your children’s media use. You can find more detailed information on this Google help page.
As a general rule, you should keep in mind that your child may feel controlled by you by regulating his or her media use. Therefore, talk openly with your child about the setting options and consider together which ones make sense. As your child becomes more independent over time, settings should be reconsidered regularly. Of course, the older your child is, the more he or she will know how to avoid certain settings. However, if you trust your child, there is usually no reason to do so. Also think together about how they can Media time and media-free time in the family.
Are you concerned that once your child has their own smartphone, they will spend too much time on it and access content that is not age appropriate? The Google Family Link app for parents and for children aims to remedy the situation and offers some ways to regulate the child’s cell phone use together.
Google Family Link allows parents to set up a limited Google account for children under 16 and keep track of their child’s smartphone usage if it’s an Android device. To do this, Google Family Link for Kids must first be set up on your child’s smartphone. On your device, you can set preferences for your child’s device using the Google Family Linkapp for parents .
Among other things, the app can be used to set usage times for the smartphone, restrict access to certain apps, or block in-app purchases. You can use it to track which apps the child uses and how often. The use of the cell phone itself can also be restricted and the child’s cell phone can be tracked with the app. The settings can also be made online – without a smartphone – via a Google account of the parents.
Since the update in September 2019, the app has even more features: Now parents can set the maximum usage time for each app individually. It is also possible to add bonus time after the specified maximum usage time has expired (in increments of 5 minutes).
From a parent’s point of view, the functions offered are useful because they can prevent children from spending too much time with their smartphone or from using unsuitable apps. The app should be viewed critically if it is not used to protect children, but to control or even monitor them. Therefore, the use of the app should definitely be discussed with the child beforehand and set up together with him!
Since it is a Google app, it can be used primarily for Google services and Android devices. Other apps cannot be controlled via this. In addition, Google Family Link itself does not block inappropriate content or content that is harmful to minors, but allows or enables entire offers – depending on the setting you have made as a parent. For example, despite the app, your child may receive YouTube videos that contain violence. To restrict content on YouTube, you need to make filter settings in the YouTube app itself. Also, advertising within Google apps cannot be turned off with the Google Family Link.
The Google company gains access to your child’s data and all usage behavior by setting up a child account.
For Google, Family Link represents a support for media education in the family, as common usage rules can be agreed upon and controlled via the app. To allow children to be supervised while using cell phones.
Even if no inappropriate content can be filtered with the app, parents are specifically informed about filtering options of certain services, such as the SafeSearch function in Google Search, the parental control filter in Google’s Chrome browser or YouTube’s restricted mode. More about this in the Google help.
Think carefully about whether using such an app is right for your family. With younger children, it may be appropriate to exercise some degree of control. No matter what you decide, this is a good occasion to jointly consider rules of use for smartphone & co.
Using Google Family Link always requires that your child’s phone has Internet access. This may not be a given or your child may not be expected to be online all the time.
If you decide to use it, you should install and set up the app together with your child. Talk about what features make sense to comply with usage rules. Which settings are not necessary because your child is already mature enough to take care of them himself? Periodically discuss whether the app and its settings are still useful or they can be disabled. If you want to use the app for multiple phones, you can set up different sub-accounts depending on the age of the child.
Also, as far as Google’s data usage is concerned, you should check the settings carefully. When saving data, certain functions are automatically activated, which you can switch off. Read more about installing and setting up the app at mobilsicher.de.
