By getting updated to version 2.0, Avira Free Android Security gained antivirus protection. This means the app can now run scans and detect viruses.

Avira Free Android Security version 1.0 was rolled out to the public back in the spring of 2012. At the time, security company Avira explained that “malware threats for Android are still uncommon”. Consequently, the app’s functionality focused on anti-theft and remote device management, not on antivirus protection.

Avira Free Android Security version 1.0 came with this list of features:

• Remotely put your phone on lockdown (lock the device with a 4-digit PIN; set it so a "call owner” phone number is displayed on the screen)
• Remotely get your phone to scream for 20 seconds so you can locate it or scare the person who has your phone.
• See real-time location coordinates on Google Maps.
• Phones can be activated and deactivated remotely, phone activity can be checked remotely, battery level can be checked remotely, device number and IMEI number can be checked remotely.

When Avira Free Android Security 1.0 was released, Travis Witteveen, Avira’s COO, explained that “as the threat landscape evolves we will add anti-malware features as needed.” And so we get to the fact that Avira Free Android Security version 2.0 has been launched and to the fact that this latest release adds anti-malware features. The app adds comprehensive antivirus scanning and removal to the list of features presented above.

Avira Free Android Security version 2.0 add the following to its list of features:

• Apps are scanned when they are installed and updated.
• Virus scans can be manually launched (on-demand scanning).
• Automatic virus and detection updates.
• View a virus scan summary.

“There is no shortage of security solutions available for Android, so Avira designed its app to combine both physical security of the device and emotional security that data on the device will stay out of the wrong hands,” said Leon Crutchley, mobile products manager for Avira.

You can get Avira Free Android Security 2.0 straight from Google Play.
You can learn more about Avira Free Android Security on its official website.

Think your Android is infected? If it shows one (or more) of these six signs, chances are it is!