In this article I will share how to use the AntiVirus application developed by Google for Android phones. The problem is, the app provides its service under a different name. This app uses more than 100 Antivirus engines to scan for any vulnerabilities and provides you with detailed info if it detects any app, file or web with suspicious codes, permissions and scripts.
The application we are talking about is called VirusTotal Mobile developed by FunnyCat. VirusTotal is a website created by the Spanish security company Hispasec Sistemas, acquired by Google Inc in 2004. Later ownership of the company was transferred to Chronicle, a security company owned by Google. The same Antivirus elements are incorporated into the mobile app for Android phones.
Unlike other Antivirus apps which use proprietary detection software. Google Virus Total combines multiple antivirus vendors and online scanning engines to check for viruses that users’ system antivirus may have missed.
Download Google Antivirus (VirusTotal Mobile)
This app is developed by free community developer and uses VirusTotal API to Check for any Vulnerabilities. You can download the app for free from Google Play Store or
from here.
Features of Google Antivirus (VirusTotal Mobile)
-
This service is owned by Google and managed by Google Cloud Platform
-
This app hosts more than 100 Antivirus engines and Web scanners
- You can scan installed system apps and apps
- You can also browse the website for malware
-
This app lets you upload some specific files to scan
-
The application provides a detailed report on the number of scans performed by the machine
- It also provides a full report on potential vulnerabilities
How Google Antivirus (VirusTotal Mobile) Works
VirusTotal Mobile checks your smartphone app with more than 70 antivirus engine, it also uses a number of tools to detect malicious content, code and permissions in apps. File and URL characterization tools are available in applications with viruses and web scanners.
It also incorporates various mechanisms such as heuristic engines, known-bad signatures, metadata extraction, identification of malicious signals, etc.
Google Antivirus Interface (VirusTotal Mobile)
VirusTotal lacks the modern minimalistic app design with touch graphics that most popular antivirus apps use today. It has a very simple interface where you have four tabs on the homepage at the top, you get User Apps and System Apps, and at the bottom you have Apps and News.
On the top bar of the app, there’s a search icon and a Scan button, along with menu options. At the bottom right of the screen, you get a Plus icon where you can perform further functions like searching for viruses on websites or uploading files to scan.
How to Use Google Antivirus (VirusTotal Mobile)
This Google Antivirus (VirusTotal Mobile) application is very easy to use. Click on the Applications Tab and tap the button Scan/Scan above, the app will take a few seconds to scan all installed apps, you can also scan system apps.
Once the app is scanned, you get a detailed report about the app, including the following:
- Information: Provides a number of virus engines used and problems found.
- AVs Report: The antivirus report shows a detailed report from each antivirus vendor if it detects a problem or the application passes cleaning.
- Permission: If it deems the app is requesting unnecessary permissions, it will list them here.
When you click the icon Plus +, you will get two internet and file options. You can search any website for malware, virus, adware or phishing. You can click on the file to upload any file to scan for any virus threats.
Difference between Google Antivirus (VirusTotal Mobile) and Other Antivirus
| VirusTotal | Other Antivirus Apps |
|---|---|
| 100+ Antivirus Engines | Own Machine |
| Manually Scan Apps, Files and Web | Options may or may not be available |
| Detailed Results with Full Info | May Not Provide Detailed Information |
Some Popular Antivirus Engines Used by Google Antivirus (VirusTotal Mobile)
- ALWIL (Avast! Antivirus)
- AVG Technologies (AVG)
- Avira
- Baidu (Baidu-International)
- BitDefender GmbH (BitDefender)
- Cat Computer Services (Quick Heal)
- CMC InfoSec (CMC Antivirus)
- Comodo (Comodo)
- CrowdStrike
- Doctor Web Ltd. (Dr.Web)
- Emsi Software GmbH (Emsisoft)
- F-Secure
- G Data Software (G Data)
- Hacksoft (The Hackers)
- Hauri (ViRobot)
- IKARUS Security Software (IKARUS)
- INCA Internet (nProtect)
- Invincea (Invincea, acquired by Sophos)
- K7 Computing (K7AntiVirus, K7GW)
- Kaspersky Lab (Kaspersky Anti-Virus)
- Kingsoft
- Avira Checkurl
- Websense ThreatSeeker
- Google Safe Browsing
- Malwarebytes Corporation (Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware)
- McAfee
- Microsoft (Malware Protection)
- Microworld (eScan)
- NANO Security (NANO Antivirus)
- SentinelOne
- Sophos (SAV)
- SUPERAntiSpyware
- Symantec Corporation (Symantec)
- Tencent
I hope this guide is useful for those of you who want to know about the Antivirus app developed by Google to Scan Apps and Files on your Android Phone. Hopefully this post is useful and thank you for visiting.
