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Antivirus on Android phone?

K

kyrax12

Platinum Member
Can android phones get malware/viruses from browsing the web? I heard that they mainly get infected through the google play store or from installing apps from an unknown source.

Is it recommended to get an anti-virus app for Android?
 
I believe that most of the problems come from downloading pirated apps.

That being said... I've been on Android phones for over six years, and (as far as I know) I've never had a virus. Nor have I known anyone who has.
 
kyrax12 said:
Can android phones get malware/viruses from browsing the web? I heard that they mainly get infected through the google play store or from installing apps from an unknown source.

Is it recommended to get an anti-virus app for Android?
Click to expand...

Yes, they can get infected through the web, although many of the infections come through apps installed outside of Google Play (either through the web or a third-party store).

Google Play is actually the safest place to get apps, since Google both screens for hostile code (it's not perfect, but it's substantial) and pulls offending software. This is one of the reasons why iOS doesn't have nearly as many viruses, even proportionate to its market share -- it doesn't allow third-party app stores, so it's hard to slip hostile code past the radar.

If you stick to downloading apps only from Google Play or outside sides that you explicitly trust, you should be fine without antivirus software. It's one of the biggest rackets in the mobile world: you don't need AV as much as you do on the desktop, and there's very little threat if you're cautious.
 
Don't be stupid about installing programs, and you should be fine. By stupid I don't mean only grey/black market apps, but ones that are given freely. Sometimes gratis is too expensive for what you get. Even if it isn't overtly malicious, it may still spy on you, and leak more information than a sensible person would like. Have a use for what you download, and don't be a hoarder. I don't, and will never use av on Android.
 
The best product I've seen is Lookout:
https://www.lookout.com/

But it's generally not needed as Google does a pretty good job of policing Android and keeping a good security posture. Older devices that aren't getting Android updates could possibly benefit from a 3rd party program I suppose.
 
You can get viruses the same way as you can get them on PC. If you're careful with the apps you dl and the websites you visit, you won't have any problems.

If you want to be 100% sure, just install an antivirus. All big antivirus for PC also have a mobile version.

Here are some tips about how to protect your phone, hope it will help.
 
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You don't really need an anti-virus for an android phone as long as you only download apps from the Google Play Store.

However, if you are paranoid and download pictures and mp3s then maybe you might feel better with one. However, the only real compelling reasons imo to get one of the more well known ones is the location services and remote locking abilities.

Personally I have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Android and I turn off the real time security in the settings as well as the auto update...

I'm slightly paranoid and malwarebytes

It might be a pain to remember to do regular scans but battery life is something to keep in mind and if you are pay attention to what permissions an app requires then you should be safe as long as you get your apps from the Google Play Store and nowhere else.
lxskllr said:
Even if it isn't overtly malicious, it may still spy on you,
Click to expand...

Oddly enough a security researcher thinks that the Uber App does qualify as malware...


...
 
Fox5 said:
The best product I've seen is Lookout:
https://www.lookout.com/

But it's generally not needed as Google does a pretty good job of policing Android and keeping a good security posture. Older devices that aren't getting Android updates could possibly benefit from a 3rd party program I suppose.
Click to expand...

I have been using lookout for years as I do occasionally install from non-play stores & even direct downloads. It's been great and haven't had any issues with it at all.
 
I am using AVG Mobilation. it works for me and has Anti-theft support where you can locate, wipe and other options incase the unfortunate happens.
 
Do not. DO NOT bother with an antivirus. The notion that they are necessary is a toal myth by those who a misinformed. I don't even use one on Windows.
 
kyrax12 said:
Can android phones get malware/viruses from browsing the web? I heard that they mainly get infected through the google play store or from installing apps from an unknown source.

Is it recommended to get an anti-virus app for Android?
Click to expand...

I use Dr Web free, but there are a few others which are probably on par.

Android in some ways is inherently more secure compared to windows because of its unix heritage (better inherent design from the security standpoint) but its not as security conscious as unix. Jellybean didn't have per folder/app permission on the sdcard.

The playstore is considered to be very safe from viruses/trojans but not from PUP/adware apps.
 
IndyColtsFan said:
Uh, yeah, I'd ignore this advice particularly the bolded.
Click to expand...

If you were still running Windows 98 it would probably be relevant, but Windows isn't getting viruses anymore either.

Almost everything you see today is a Trojan which comes from downloading and installing sketchy programs. The days of the wide-scale drive-by virus/worm infections are a thing of the past.

If you can use some common sense and steer clear of sketchy downloads, you're not going to have a problem on any operating system. I'd be far more worried about the data being collected by all of the legitimate apps people have. That's far more relevant for most people today than the threat of virus infection.
 
Mopetar said:
If you were still running Windows 98 it would probably be relevant, but Windows isn't getting viruses anymore either.

Almost everything you see today is a Trojan which comes from downloading and installing sketchy programs. The days of the wide-scale drive-by virus/worm infections are a thing of the past.

If you can use some common sense and steer clear of sketchy downloads, you're not going to have a problem on any operating system. I'd be far more worried about the data being collected by all of the legitimate apps people have. That's far more relevant for most people today than the threat of virus infection.
Click to expand...
Exactly. They aren't really necessary anymore. Especially if you know how to behave on the internet. I'd still put one on my parents computer for instance but between what windows has built in, decent browsing habits, and maybe a malwarebytes scan every so often, you're probably fine. The last time I got a legitimate virus was in the XP days.

Using one on a smartphone is pointless as well.
 
gmaster456 said:
Do not. DO NOT bother with an antivirus. The notion that they are necessary is a toal myth by those who a misinformed. I don't even use one on Windows.
Click to expand...

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Mopetar said:
If you were still running Windows 98 it would probably be relevant, but Windows isn't getting viruses anymore either.

Almost everything you see today is a Trojan which comes from downloading and installing sketchy programs. The days of the wide-scale drive-by virus/worm infections are a thing of the past.

If you can use some common sense and steer clear of sketchy downloads, you're not going to have a problem on any operating system. I'd be far more worried about the data being collected by all of the legitimate apps people have. That's far more relevant for most people today than the threat of virus infection.
Click to expand...

I disagree. I wouldn't pay for AV, but there are plenty of free AV/anti-malware apps available today and it does not hurt to install them. Most end users are clueless and absolutely need that protection.
 
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