6 Best Android Firewall Apps to Block Harmful Viruses
These days a lot of hacking groups are active and our personal data is at stake. Thankfully, Android comes with some of the best security features there are. If that is not enough, you can easily download and install one of the best firewall apps for Android to keep your device safe from any person that wants to attack your phone.
Chances are, you won’t need a firewall app if you are using the apps from Google Play store because they are already verified by Google. In case that you want to install an APK or apps that are not available on the Google Play store, from an external source, one of the benefits of a firewall app is that it allows you to see if those apps want to communicate without you knowing it.
Must Read: Best Top Antivirus App for Android Phones (Free Downloads)
Now that we made that a little bit clearer, let’s move to our list!
Android Firewall Apps to Make You Feel More Secure
Note: Most of these apps, fortunately, don’t need to root your Android device in order to install your Android firewall (except the last one). So, like any other app, you install them and you’re good to go.
1. No root Firewall
Just as the name implies, NoRoot Firewall is a great way to control how your device uses the Internet. The app allows you to easily manage all the apps and how they use your Internet. Fortunately, you don’t need to root your phone for this app.
Features:
- No root required;
- Access control based on IP/host/domain name;
- Simple interface;
- Minimal permissions.
One great thing about this app is its ability to block background data usage and only let foreground data run freely. You’ll be able to analyze, record and start the data usage for each app and truly gain useful details about them.
In conclusion, this is the perfect solution if you want a firewall for Android without root. It gives you complete protection for your Android device.
2. Mobiwol: NoRoot Firewall – free
Mobiwol firewall app can be used to not only reduce data usage but also save battery life in addition to securing your privacy. You’ll be able to directly take control of the apps installed on your Android device with this app.
Features:
- Android firewall protection with no root required;
- Automatic launch on device startup;
- Full data usage visibility;
- Identifies and Notifies when newly installed apps access the Web.
If one of the apps has gone rogue and used a lot of background data, you can simply restrict its usage. You can also get alerts when a new app tries to access the internet. The app may not be as effective as dedicated battery saver apps for Android, but it works well in combination with them.
3. NetGuard – no-root firewall – free with in-app purchases
NetGuard is a simple, yet effective way to block Internet access on your device. The best part is, you don’t even need access to block off malicious websites from the device. Addresses and even applications can be individually configured for access on the Android device.
Features:
- No root required;
- IPv4/IPv6 TCP/UDP supported;
- Actively developed and supported;
- No advertisements.
There were a lot of features available that allow you to customize the experience you have with this firewall app for Android. For example, you can easily block when roaming.
You can also block system applications from accessing the Internet, this allows them to stay as it is and won’t receive any updates.
4. Droid Firewall – free with in-app purchases
Droid Firewall is perhaps the oldest and most popular Android firewall app available on the Google Play Store. Even if you will have to deal with the ads, it is still one of the best firewalls for Android in the market.
Features:
- Mobile data reset;
- Wi-Fi data reset;
- Grant/Deny both system & installed Apps;
- Minimal permissions.
One bad part about this app is that it has ads built-in, but you can upgrade the app to pro mode for 4$ and get rid of them plus other features like getting info about traffic log.
5. GlassWire Data Usage Monitor – free with in-app purchases
GlassWire is basically a data usage monitor that allows you to see and control the data usage on your wifi and mobile data connection. You can allow or deny some apps to connect to the internet and it sends you alerts that some apps are running in the background. Mostly, it runs just like a firewall app and it may be the solution for you.
Features:
- Live notification with traffic usage;
- Set data usage limit;
- Block apps from connecting to the internet;
- See suspicious activity;
- No root needed.
If you want to know more about data usage on your Android phone, you can take a look at our article with the best apps to help you reduce it.
6. AFWall+ (Android Firewall +) – free
If you want one of the best firewall apps for Android, AFWall+ is the best one you can get. The app has a very pleasant interface and works great on almost any device.
Please take into consideration that you will need to root your device for this app. See in our article how to root your Android device!
Features:
- Search Applications;
- Filter Applications;
- IPV6/IPV4 Support;
- Notify on new installations.
AFWall+ (Android Firewall +) is basically a front-end application that allows you to restrict which applications are permitted to access your data networks. Additionally, it also allows you to limit and control network traffic used by apps within your local area network or while connected through a VPN. If you want security with no limitations and has freedom of Google’s restrictions, then better check this app out.
Speaking of VPN, if you want a reliable and safe way to surf the internet, nothing is a more secure way to do it than having NordVPN.
NordVPN Internet Privacy & Security Software
If you use a VPN to surf the web, every data and information you send and receive is hack-proof and it goes through an encrypted tunnel for online traffic to flow. Nobody can see through the tunnel and get their hands on your internet data. NordVPN gives you peace of mind each time you use public Wi-Fi, access personal and work accounts on the road, or want to keep your browsing history to yourself.
FAQs
What is the best Android firewall app?
Most of the apps presented below are doing quite the same thing, with some small differences like the interface or blocking the internet access for an app for the wifi and mobile data separately. This really depends on every Android user.
Why does Android not have firewall by default?
The answer is that you, basically, don’t need one, as long as you use genuine apps from Play Store. They are already verified by Google when they are uploaded in the store.
Should I use more firewall apps?
No, because the apps are doing the same thing mostly, and it is a possibility that they can interfere one with another.
Android firewall apps – the need for them these days
Even if you feel safe using your apps when online, or you just want a little bit of more control of your internet traffic data, the apps listed above may help you.
Do you really need an Android firewall app? In our opinion, Android is already as secure as it can get, but if you want to find out more, you can check out this article about how secure Android is. Also, if you need more deep information, Android Source has some more details.
Have questions, comments, or suggestions? Do let us know in the comment section below!
Billa, Kinda new to this Android OS on my new RCA 11 Maven Pro Tablet w/detachable keyboard. How familiar are you with majicJack and their “app?” for use on an android os? Also, i am told that the Tablet is merely a larger version of an i-phone, like Samsung, etc. I have had neither and now I have this tablet. What about anti-v, firewall, etc. for it? And of course, the manual has almost nothing to say about these matters. Can I use it to make and receive phone calls, texting, skype, etc. How easy are these to “hack” into and/or peep and intrude? Just let me know but please, not too technical of terminology. Thanks. Will.Harrison.Jr.
Hi, Will! Welcome to Android! Our writers typically just focus on creating content, but I’m Megan, editor here at Joy of Android, and I’m happy to help you out. You obviously have a lot of questions, which is great because it will help you learn faster. Instead of answering your questions individually, I’m going to link you to some Joy of Android posts that will provide you with far more information than I could in a single comment and will probably provide you with information about things you didn’t even know about in the first place!
First things first, here are a couple posts with more general information for Android beginners:
Things a New Android User Might Be Afraid to Ask, but Needs to Know
5 Great Android Apps for Absolute Beginners. Now let’s look at some of your specific questions.
I personally used Magic Jack for the first time several years ago as a way to make calls online when I didn’t have a smart phone and I was in a country where Skype is blocked. I also know people who use Magic Jack as their exclusive phone provider, and others who use it for an inexpensive second or temporary phone line. All I’ve heard is glowing reviews. As for their Android app, you can find some information about Magic Jack, as well as some similar services, through this guide: How To Make Free International Calls On Android to Chat All Day.
It is more or less accurate to say that a tablet is more or less a larger version of a smart phone. Online calling and messaging apps allow for use of these services as long as you have an internet connection. That will need to be through a wifi connection unless you have a data plan for your tablet. If you don’t have a data plan for your tablet and want one, your cell service provider should be able to help you set one up. The apps in the link on international calling above should all work for online calling, and here’s a guide to apps that you can use for messaging: 5 Best Internet Texting Apps for Android. And yes, you can absolutely use Skype, too!
Last, let’s talk about security. Since you’ve commented on our post about firewall apps, it seems pretty safe to assume that this is a pretty big concern for you, and it should be! It’s important to take your security seriously, but it’s also not too difficult. The most important thing to know is that your data is much more likely to be compromised because someone gets their hands on your device, not because someone hacks it, so be sure to never leave your tablet unattended where someone else could access it, and be sure to use a secure lock screen just in case.
Hacking is more commonly a problem when someone who has your sensitive information, like your insurance company, bank, or credit card company, has a breach in security, which there’s not really anything you can do to prevent, but it can also be a problem if you accidentally download something unsafe onto your phone. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to prevent this. It sounds like you’re going to be a pretty casual Android user, so there’s probably no reason for you to download apps from anywhere but the Google Play Store. Google takes a lot of care to keep dangerous downloads out of the Play Store, while third party app stores can be full of dangerous malware disguised as apps. Just in case, you’ll also want to have at least an anti-virus app, though a firewall app, like any of the ones listed above, is also helpful. Here’s a round up of some of the leading anti-virus apps: Make Your Choice for the Best Antivirus App for Android to Keep Your Personal Data Safe. We also have individual reviews on a lot of the anti-virus apps, so be sure to use our search bar to find other posts about any that you’re interested in. You may also want to take a look at these anti-malware apps: Anti-Malware Apps for Android. Finally, always be careful when you download anything onto your mobile device. This guide can help you download safely: How to Keep Your Android Safe While Downloading Files (7 Tips) and this device can keep you safe while opening downloads, just in case something bad slipped through: 3 Easy Ways To Safely Open Downloads on Android.
Now, I know that was a lot of information, so please feel free to ask if you need some more explanation, or if you just think of more questions! Thanks for using Joy of Android as your source for Android related information and, once again, welcome to Android!
To boost my networking every time.