Protecting Android phones is  serious business. Unlike iOS, Android devices are prone to malware and viruses similarly to the way that PCs are. Mobile security providers like NQ Mobile, LookOut and AVG are protecting millions upon millions of Android users worldwide.

AVG, one of the leading providers of internet, computer and mobile security, with over 172 million active users has announced that they’ve surpassed 100 million downloads in the Google Play Store which makes it one of the top downloaded online security applications in Android history.  This sees AVG’s flagship mobile application now ranked in the coveted 100-500 million downloads category on Google Play.

Research has shown that some consumers keep their phones with them 22 hours a day and check them up to 150 times in that same period of time. In 2013, mobile malware has grown 22 percent* and with around 2.5 billion people predicted to come online in the next five years, it is expected that threats targeted at devices will become more prevalent.

“In the last year, mobile has been an area of strategic focus for AVG and as we look ahead to 2014 and beyond, it is clearly going to continue to grow considerably,” said David Ferguson, General Manager Consumer & Mobile, AVG Technologies. “We were one of the very first to provide a free security app for Android devices, and now we’re the first company to have an antivirus app in the top downloads category on Google Play. It’s thanks to the strength of our product and our worldwide customer base that we’ve reached this incredible milestone and sit alongside some of the biggest global brands also ranked within this category.”

This news follows the company’s recent additions and updates with the launch of AVG’s 2014 product portfolio which delivers the latest online security, performance and privacy products for PC, smartphone and tablet devices.

“Many within the next wave of Internet users will experience the web predominately through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It’s important to us that our customers have the same peace of mind when using their mobile devices as they experience on their computers,” said Omri Sigelman, VP Mobile Marketing & Sales, AVG Technologies. “Our AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android is the premium version of our free product that provides additional anti-theft and privacy features, including App Locker, App Backup, Camera Trap and Sim Lock for added privacy and anti-theft protection.”

You can download AVG for Android here in the Google Play Store.