Question about Avast mobile security app

[llKNIGHTll]

I wanted to install the Avast mobile antivirus from google play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity&hl=en
When i click install i was prompted to enter the username and password for google accounts. After entering them i saw the following

This Application has access to the following
Services that cost you money:
directly call phone numbers,
send SMS messages
Your messages:
read SMS or MMS,
edit SMS or MMS,
receive SMS,
receive MMS
Network communication:
full internet access
Your personal information:
read sensitive log data,
read contact data,
write contact data,
read Browser's history and bookmarks
Phone Calls:
read phone state and identity,
intercept outgoing calls
Storage:
modify/delete USB storage contents modify/delete SD card contents
System Tools:
modify global system settings,
retrieve running apps,
prevent tablet from sleeping prevent phone from sleeping

Hardware controls:
control vibrator
Network communication:
view network state,
receive data from internet
Your Personal information:
retrieve system internal state
Phone calls:
modify phone state
System tools:
kill background processes,
automatically start at boot,
measure app storage space

After reading this i am afraid to install this app. When i read this, what i understood was that this app will have control over the phone, its data, ability to retrieve personal information, intercept calls etc...

Is this true?
Is it safe to install this app?

 

[Hadron]

Avast is safe. You'll find that in order to scan/disable apps, wipe data (if instructed), report the location of the phone to you, and perform those other security functions it needs those permissions.

 

[llKNIGHTll]

So are you telling me that avast antivirus will use those features only with my permission and not to collect data about the phone or its use without me authorizing them?

 

[chanchan05]

Yes. Avast is a well known company, older than Android or iOS. As a company its regarded as one of the best antivirus developers for Windows over the past 6 years or so.

Avast needs the ability to send SMS (which uses the same permission for calls) to send data to you in case the phone gets lost.

It needs the permission to read SMS because it has a feature where you can send an SMS to your phone to make it do an action, like lockdown or wipe when you send it an SMS containing a specific key word.

It needs internet access for updates

It needs personal information data so it can scan your contacts so you can assign which contacts can send sms commands to your phone.

It needs phone call permissions since it has a feature where it can act as a call blocker app.

It needs SD card access for log saves

system tools so it can monitor data usage.

 

[Hadron]

Exactly.

You are right to check what permissions an app has, and if they seem unreasonable for the app's function (e.g. a flashlight app wanting access to your contacts) to be suspicious. There's a sticky post about this in this forum. But the avast app needs these permissions to do its job, and they are a very reputable company, so this is not one I would worry about.