Best Antivirus for FireStick: This guide will walk you through how to install and use the top antivirus apps on Amazon FireStick devices. The steps provided here are applicable to all Fire TV models, including Fire Stick 2nd and 3rd Generation, FireStick 4K, FireStick Lite, and Fire TV Cube. We rely heavily on gadgets like smartphones, laptops, streaming devices, and gaming consoles every day. But have you ever thought about what truly powers these devices? It’s the software.

No matter how advanced the hardware, it’s the software that enables everything—from browsing the internet to playing your favorite video games like Need for Speed. Simply put, software is the heart and soul of any device. But software isn’t always secure if you’re not vigilant. Since all internet-connected gadgets, including the FireStick, face constant threats like viruses, Trojans, ransomware, and malware, it’s crucial to protect your data. If you’re as concerned about your privacy and security as I am, it’s time to boost your defenses with reliable antivirus software.

Crypto-mining Virus Threat

Just like smartphones and computers, streaming devices are vulnerable to malicious software too. Need proof? A few years ago, Amazon FireStick devices were targeted by a crypto-mining virus known as ADB.miner. This virus hijacked devices to mine cryptocurrency, resulting in slowdowns and crashes during usage. Feeling uneasy? Don’t worry. The antivirus apps covered in this guide are designed to safeguard your Fire TV and FireStick devices from such threats. Keep reading to discover which apps can keep your device secure.

What is Antivirus?

Antivirus software is a program designed to detect, identify, and remove viruses and other harmful software such as Trojans, adware, worms, and more. These tools are essential for protecting your devices from cyber threats and keeping your data safe from hackers and malicious actors.

Antivirus Apps for FireStick

Amazon FireStick devices support several antivirus apps designed to protect your device and data from malware and viruses. The popular options include:

• Webroot
• Bitdefender
• VirusTotal
• Malwarebytes

Since these are third-party apps, you’ll need to sideload their APK files using the Downloader app. Just to remind you, Downloader is officially available on the Amazon App Store. I’ll guide you through installing each antivirus app on your FireStick, starting with installing the Downloader app, which is essential for sideloading APKs.

How to Install Downloader on FireStick

As mentioned earlier, you need the Downloader app to download and install antivirus APK files to secure your device. If you’re new to Fire TV, Downloader is an incredibly useful tool that lets you easily download third-party apps directly from the internet. It’s free, simple to use, and ad-free. Follow these steps to get it on your device:

1. From the FireStick home screen, navigate to Find.
2. Scroll down and select Search.
3. Using the on-screen keyboard, type Downloader. When it appears in the suggestions below, select it.
4. Under the APPS AND GAMES section, click Downloader.
5. Click Get or Download to install the app.
6. Press the Home button on your FireStick remote, then go to Settings (gear icon).
7. Select My Fire TV.
8. Click on Developer Options.
9. Select Install Unknown Apps. If your device shows Apps from Unknown Sources instead, turn it ON and skip the next step.
10. Find Downloader in the list and toggle it ON.

How to Install Antivirus Apps on FireStick

Now that you have Downloader installed and the required settings enabled, you’re ready to install any of the antivirus apps mentioned above on your FireStick or Fire TV device. I’ll guide you through the process for each app in the next sections.

How to Install Webroot on FireStick

Webroot is an excellent choice for protecting your FireStick from malware. It scans apps, files, and websites to identify threats. The app is simple, user-friendly, and light on system resources.

1. Open the Downloader app. If you don’t see it on the home screen, go to the View All Apps section.
2. Select the input box labeled Enter a URL or Search Term.
3. Enter the URL: https://bit.ly/2SDLeVa (case-sensitive) and click Go.
4. After the download completes, click INSTALL.
5. When installation finishes, select DONE.
6. Choose Delete to remove the APK file from your device’s storage since it’s no longer needed.
7. Confirm by clicking Delete again.

How to Use Webroot Antivirus on FireStick

When you first open Webroot, it will ask a few security-related questions before taking you to the home screen. You can choose to Fix this or Ignore as you prefer. To scan your FireStick, click the Scan for Threats Now button. The scan duration varies based on the number of files and apps on your device. After the scan finishes, select Finish.

At the bottom, you’ll find three sections: Security, Identity & Privacy, and Help.

• The Security section includes Antivirus (for scanning, quarantining, and viewing ignored threats) and Secure Web Browsing (which blocks malicious websites but requires installing the SecureWeb app separately).
• The Identity & Privacy section lets you locate, lock, or wipe your device, but requires setting up a Webroot account.

Overall, Webroot’s interface is straightforward, lightweight, and easy to navigate, though it offers fewer features compared to some other antivirus apps.

How to Install Bitdefender on FireStick

Bitdefender is another solid antivirus option for FireStick, capable of detecting viruses, malware, spyware, and other threats. Follow these steps to install it:

1. Launch the Downloader app.
2. Click the input box labeled Enter a URL or Search Term.
3. Type https://bit.ly/3h4bJMA carefully (case-sensitive) and select Go.
4. Wait for the download to finish, then click INSTALL.
5. When installation is done, select DONE.
6. Delete the Bitdefender APK file from your device to free up space.
7. Confirm deletion by clicking Delete again.

How to Use Bitdefender on FireStick

Bitdefender offers a simple, minimalistic antivirus solution for FireStick. Currently, the app lets you scan your device for threats, but other advanced features are limited and often unstable. You can upgrade for additional protection, though it may not work reliably at this time.

How to Install Malwarebytes on FireStick

Malwarebytes is a popular choice that detects viruses, malware, ransomware, and other threats quickly. The company claims it blocks 4 million threats daily. To install it on your FireStick:

1. Open the Downloader app.
2. Click the URL input box.
3. Enter https://bit.ly/35VTDGf exactly as shown and press Go.
4. Click INSTALL once the download completes.
5. Select DONE after installation finishes.
6. Delete the Malwarebytes APK file to free storage space.
7. Confirm deletion by selecting Delete again.

How to Use Malwarebytes on FireStick

Malwarebytes offers more features than Bitdefender. Its home screen includes a Scan Now button along with useful info like the date of the last device scan, database version, and real-time protection status. The menu (accessible via the hamburger icon) provides settings divided into Security, App Manager, and General categories. You can use the app for free, but premium features like automatic scanning and ransomware detection require a subscription costing about $1.30/month.

How to Install VirusTotal on FireStick

VirusTotal helps scan all the apps on your device to check for malware, but it doesn’t provide real-time protection. To install VirusTotal on your FireStick, follow these steps:

1. Open the Downloader app and select the URL input box.
2. Enter https://bit.ly/3y15r65 carefully, ensuring no typos, then click Go.
3. Once downloaded, click INSTALL.
4. After installation, select DONE.
5. Delete the VirusTotal APK from your FireStick’s storage to free up space.
6. Confirm deletion by clicking Delete again.

How to Use VirusTotal on FireStick

VirusTotal is a free tool that scans for suspicious files and URLs. You can scan either User Apps or System Apps, but only one category at a time. To start a scan, simply click the refresh icon on the home screen. To adjust settings, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings. Here, you can customize the theme, hide specific apps, and manage notifications. Keep in mind, VirusTotal does not offer real-time antivirus protection, so if you need continuous protection, you might want to consider other antivirus apps.

Tips to Protect Your FireStick from Viruses

Alongside using antivirus apps, here are some essential tips to keep your FireStick secure from online threats:

• Whenever possible, download apps only from the official Amazon App Store.
• After installing third-party apps, disable the ADB Debugging feature in FireStick settings.
• Keep your Fire TV device’s firmware updated to the latest version.
• Use a reliable VPN service, such as ExpressVPN, to protect your online privacy and security.

Wondering how a VPN can help? I can also guide you through the benefits and installation steps for using a VPN on FireStick.

How to Stream Anonymously on FireStick

Once you’ve installed the right apps, your FireStick is ready for streaming your favorite content. But before you dive in, it’s important to know that everything you stream online is visible to your ISP and government agencies. This means streaming free movies, TV shows, or sports could potentially lead to legal issues. Luckily, there’s a foolproof way to keep your streaming activities private—using a reliable VPN on your FireStick. A VPN masks your real IP address and helps you bypass online surveillance, ISP throttling, and geo-restrictions on content.

I personally recommend ExpressVPN for FireStick because it’s fast, secure, and compatible with almost all streaming apps. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to install on your Fire TV or Stick. We don’t promote breaking copyright laws, but sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a source is legitimate or not. So, to stay safe and keep your streaming hidden from prying eyes, here’s how to use ExpressVPN on your FireStick.

Best Antivirus for FireStick Install & Set UP Quickly

• Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free for the first month. If you’re not happy with it (which is rare), you can get a full refund.
• Step 2: Turn on your Fire TV Stick and go to Find > Search.
• Step 3: Type “ExpressVPN” (without quotes) into the search bar and select it from the results.
• Step 4: Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app.
• Step 5: Open the app and log in using the credentials you created when subscribing.
• Step 6: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s it—your connection is now secure, private, and optimized for streaming.

You can also find more detailed guidance on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV/Stick if you want to explore further.

Wrap Up

That’s all there is to it! You’ve now enhanced your FireStick’s security with antivirus apps and a reliable VPN. The antivirus apps listed earlier provide solid basic protection, and if you want advanced features, you can always upgrade to premium antivirus solutions. Thanks for reading! If you know of any other useful apps or software, feel free to share in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a VPN help protect my privacy while streaming on FireStick?

A VPN hides your real IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, preventing your ISP, government, or hackers from monitoring your streaming activities. It also helps bypass geo-restrictions and ISP throttling for a smoother streaming experience.

Is ExpressVPN compatible with all FireStick models?

Yes, ExpressVPN works seamlessly with all Fire TV devices, including FireStick 2nd/3rd Gen, FireStick 4K, FireStick Lite, and Fire TV Cube, making it a versatile choice for securing your streaming.

What should I do if I accidentally stream content from an unauthorized source?

Using a VPN like ExpressVPN can help protect your identity and online activities by masking your IP address, reducing the risk of legal trouble if you unintentionally access illegitimate content.

Does using ExpressVPN affect streaming speed on FireStick?

ExpressVPN is known for its fast servers optimized for streaming, so it generally maintains high speeds while keeping your connection secure, minimizing buffering and lag issues.

How do I install ExpressVPN on my FireStick device?

To install ExpressVPN, search for it using the Find > Search option on your FireStick, download the app from the Amazon App Store, open it, log in with your credentials, and connect to a VPN server by clicking the Power icon.

What are the benefits of using antivirus apps along with a VPN on FireStick?

Antivirus apps protect your FireStick from malware, viruses, and ransomware, while a VPN ensures your online activities remain private and secure. Using both enhances your device’s overall security and privacy.

Best VPNs for Streaming — Final Score:

Rank	Provider	Overall Score	Best Deal
1		9.8 ★★★★★	save 84%	VISIT WEBSITE >
2		9.6 ★★★★★	save 83%	VISIT WEBSITE >
3		9.4 ★★★★★	save 84%	VISIT WEBSITE >