There is a misconception that Android smartphones are not susceptible to malware attacks. Of course, the probability of contracting a virus is lower on Android than on PC, but it is totally possible.
Android has grown a lot in terms of security in recent years, but recent attacks have shown us all that there is still a lot of work to do. If you've ever taken a personal computer security class, one of the first things they teach is to always have a working antivirus and firewall. Well, things are not so different on android.
Of course, a firewall is much more necessary on a PC than on a smartphone, mainly because the latest versions of Android have some kind of built-in firewall (SafetyNet). But a reliable Android firewall app can protect you from thousands of problems if you use a lot of different WiFi connections.. Even more so if you are rooted and install APK outside of Google Play.
Even if you don't end up getting a virus that leaves your bank account empty, some malicious apps will run silently and collect information about you without your consent. Your best defense against this is to regain control of the data you share with a trusted firewall for your Android device..
Whether you want to tighten the security of your Android or are looking for an app that keeps it off limits for use, the right firewall app will make you happy. With this in mind, check out a list of the best Android firewalls currently available on Google Play.
PD: A firewall is even more efficient on a rooted Android device and you don't need to use a VPN network as a proxy. If you have a rooted device, consider choosing a firewall app specifically designed for root capabilities.
NoRoot Data Firewall (no root required)
No Root Data Firewall works similar to a VPN interface. It works as a proxy between the applications you have on your Android device and its servers. With this application you can control the permissions of each application that needs Internet access from your mobile data or a WiFi network.
You can choose to easily lock the data in the background and let the data in the foreground take its course. I liked the fact that it allows you to register, analyze and order the use of the data of each application separately. You can view the hourly history data, day or month on an intuitive bar chart.
Another great feature is the ability to set a temporary permission for an app. This means that you can choose to allow an application to access the internet for a fixed period of time.. If an application starts a new Internet connection with an external server, you will be notified automatically.
This firewall automatically captures data packets, allowing you to spy on internet data directly from your device.
I just want to point out that this firewall requires minimal permissions. If you are paranoid enough to think that a firewall could be behind your data, “No Root Data Firewall” it's not silly.
NoRoot Firewall (no root required)
The NoRoot firewall works on the same principles as the first entry. Protects your personal information from being sent over the Internet. When an application tries to access the Internet, the NoRoot firewall will automatically notify the user. You then have the option to allow the connection or deny it.
Although the user interface seems simplistic, the application will allow you to create specific filter rules based on IP addresses, domain name or host name.
A big drawback is the inability of the application to support IPv6. If most of the time you are on an LTE network, NoRoot Firewall will not work while on a mobile data connection. The developers announced that a fix is on the way, but it might take a while.
If you are looking for a firewall with a simple interface that allows detailed access control over IP, hostname and domain name, I would opt for the NoRoot firewall.
Mobuol (no root required)
Mobiwol is built with the VPN packaging module that Android offers to developers. Used to gain visibility into application network activities and apply firewall rules without requesting root permissions. Although it requires a VPN connection, the Mobiwol application does not send data abroad.
Besides being a reliable firewall, this app will save you battery and reduce data usage to stay within your data plan. Every time a new application accesses the Internet, you will be warned and asked to allow or block app connectivity.
Initial setup is extremely easy, but if you have problems with it, be sure to check the Rules section. I like the fact that the app is regularly updated and new features are added regularly.
NetGuard (no root required)
Of all the apps that appear on this list, NetGuard is probably the most attractive entry. Everything in the user interface gives it a more professional atmosphere than any other application of its kind.
When it comes to functionality, NetGuard is a simple but effective way to keep tight control over your hungry internet applications. All applications (including system applications) and even the addresses can be individually configured for different access treatments.
Works equally well with IPv4 and IPv6 TCP / UDP. The app is open source and will suit even new Android smartphone users. If you know what you are doing, you can choose to buy the PRO version which will allow you to record all outgoing traffic, search access attempts and export PCAP files for deep network analysis.
AFWall + (root is required)
AFWall + required a root to function properly. If you are rooted on your device, I recommend that you use a dedicated Android firewall that is programmed to work in rooted environments.
The UI interface is super simple but it works great. Based on the powerful Linux iptables, AFWall + will allow you to restrict which applications can access your data networks. Works well with 2G connections, 3G y Wi-Fi, but if you mainly use LTE data, I would not use it as it is quite unstable with 4G connections.
You can control the flow of your network traffic even when connected via VPN. Please note that you must grant AFWall + SUPERUSER_ACCESS permission to work properly.
DroidWall (root is required)
DroidWall has exactly the same functionality as the application presented above. Since it is based on the same principles, you will need root access to be able to use it.
If you have root access but are working on a limited data plan, should try this app. In addition to allowing you to restrict which applications can access the network to which you are connected, DroidWall will allow you to manually define custom rules for iptables.
If you decide to uninstall the application, remember to disable the firewall before uninstalling it. Otherwise, you will have to restart the device for the restrictions you have set to disappear.
