Sophos Intercept X for Mobile

Sophos Limited

About this app

Sophos Intercept X for Mobile delivers industry leading protection against malware and other mobile threats. The app has consistently achieved a 100% protection score in AV-TEST’s comparison of the top Android security and antivirus apps.

Full features, no advertising, all free
Sophos is an IT security leader for companies and governments worldwide. This app comprehensively protects your Android device and your privacy without impacting performance or battery life.

Malware protection
• Scan apps and storage media for malicious or inappropriate content.

Web Filtering
• Block web pages with malicious, undesirable or illegal content.

Link Checker
• Check links you tap in non-browser apps for malicious or inappropriate content.

App Protection
• Protect apps with a password.

Wi-Fi Security
• Check your connection for man-in-the-middle attacks.

Privacy Advisor
• List apps that access your personal data or that could create costs.

Security Advisor
• Get advice on how to improve device security.

Secure QR Code Scanner
• Perform security checks when scanning QR codes that include URLs, contacts, or Wi-Fi connection data.

Password Safe
• Store all your account data in a KeePass-compatible password database.

Authenticator
• Generate time-based (TOTP, RFC 6238) and counter-based (HOTP, RFC 4226) one-time passwords for multi-factor authentication.

Managed mode
• Connect the app to Sophos Mobile to enable your organization to manage your device.

Permissions
• Permissions are required to monitor incoming data, and to detect and stop threats. More info: https://sophos.com/kb/117499
• When you turn on App Protection, the app uses the Device Administrator permission.
• The Wi-Fi Security feature needs the location permission to get the name of the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to, even when the app is running in the background. The app doesn’t actually access or track your location.
• When you turn on Web Filtering, the app uses the Android Accessibility Service API to check links you open in supported web browsers. The app sends link addresses to SophosLabs to check for malicious, undesirable, or illegal content. Depending on the app settings, such content is blocked. No personal information is collected.

Battery and data usage
• Malware definitions update once a day to keep you protected. This uses a small amount of data.
• The initial full scan of every installed app causes a one-time increase in battery usage.

Data safety
• The app doesn't store your web browsing history.
• When the app is managed by Sophos Mobile, your organization can see details about web pages the app has blocked or warned about.

Support information
• Knowledge base: https://community.sophos.com/kb?TopicId=1294
• Support forum: https://community.sophos.com/products/mobile-device-protection/f/18

Ratings and reviews

Would love to give them 5 stars but the malware scanner simply does not function when running in the background or with the screen off. It's a shame because it's arguably one of the best malware scanners out there. It just stops or slows down to a snail pace if you turn off the screen or navigate to a different app or page. It seems like basic functionality they should have fixed.

I loved this app, it was especially useful for blocking unwanted calls, and the locate and recovery features added some nice peace of mind. unfortunately Google has forced them to reduce the app to little more than a well built antivirus. It's a great security app, it does its job quietly and efficiently. Providing a release with all the previous features outside of the play store would be awesome, but it doesn't seem likely.

The floating icon on the screen leads to a dangerous, cumbersome and annoying user experience. The floating icon chronically interferes with clicks, and makes screen navigation and interaction with GPS and other travel apps while driving difficult and distracting. It's so distracting that it requires more time with eyes on the screen and could therefore lead to an accident. Not sure the thinking here. Very poor decision. The icon isn't even functional. It's just an overlay.

What's new

Bug fixes