Does your tablet need antivirus protection?

What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software is software that is designed to scan for, detect, and remove viruses and malware from a device. Antivirus software is an essential tool for protecting your devices. Many computers now come with built-in antivirus software but having an extra layer of protection by using third-party antivirus software is beneficial for maximum protection.

Microsoft Defender

Stay safer online with one easy-to-use app<sup>1

1</sup>Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription required; app available as separate download

Learn more

Do tablets need antivirus software?

Most people mistakenly believe that only computers can get viruses. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t true—any device can get a virus. Your tablet can get viruses or malware, too. It’s important to protect your tablet from viruses and malware so that cybercriminals can’t steal sensitive information like your credit card number or passwords. Viruses can also slow down your tablet or cause pesky pop-ups, making your tablet harder to use.

You can get tablet antivirus protection by visiting your device’s app store. It’s important that you do your research to find the best one. Most antivirus software has a small yearly fee, but it’s worth it to keep your tablet and information safe.

How do tablets get viruses?

Downloading apps from third-party app stores can cause your tablet to become infected with a virus. Additionally, downloading attachments from an email or opening certain links can activate a virus. You should only download apps from credible sources like the built-in app store that came with your tablet. It’s important to never open links or download attachments from people that you don’t know.

How to tell if your tablet has a virus

If you don’t have antivirus protection on your tablet yet, here’s how you can tell if it has a virus:

• Your tablet suddenly has new apps. If your tablet has apps installed that you don’t remember downloading, it may be infected with a virus.
• Your tablet gets more pop-ups. Some apps and games have pop-ups to keep the content free. However, if your tablet suddenly gets a ton of pop-ups, especially in apps that don’t normally have pop-ups, your tablet may have a virus.
• Your tablet gets slower. If your tablet’s performance has dropped, it may have a virus. For example, if apps crash or load slowly, this may be a symptom of a virus.
• Your tablet’s battery dies quickly. Viruses can drain a tablet’s battery since they are constantly running in the background. However, if your tablet’s battery drains quickly, it could just be because the battery is old. You can try replacing your tablet’s battery to see if this solves the issue.

How to remove viruses from your tablet

If you suspect your tablet has a virus, don’t panic. Here’s how you can get rid of it:

• Delete suspicious apps. If you notice apps on your tablet that you don’t remember downloading, remove them immediately.
• Reset your device. Resetting your tablet to factory settings can remove a virus. However, doing so will delete all the apps and documents on your tablet.
• Download antivirus software. Antivirus software can locate and remove viruses for you, so you don’t have to spend time figuring out where the virus is coming from on your tablet.

Invest in tablet antivirus software before it’s too late. Tablet antivirus software will allow you to browse the web and download apps worry-free. Want to stay safe everywhere you’re online? Explore more privacy and safety tips.