Security

**p3unit32** · 08-16-2012, 10:14 AM

Hi folks! I'm a noob to the Android platform, coming from iOS. Can Android devices become infected and house malware? What are the best security/ anti-virus applications for Android? Or like iOS, it isn't a necessity. Thanks for you help!

GS3

**still1** · 08-16-2012, 10:49 AM

You dont need antivirus as long as you dont download software from external source.
Download only from play store and you should be fine.

Android let you install Apps from outside the market but it is disabled by default. so worries there.

If you still want antivirus try out avast. people who are infected by virus are stupid enough to download cracked version of paid app..

**Pdelponte** · 08-16-2012, 10:52 AM

Is downloading apps from external sources (not on the play store) the only way to get a virus or malware?

Could visiting a webpage, or clicking a link in an email potentially give you a virus or malware?

**still1** · 08-16-2012, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Pdelponte

Is downloading apps from external sources (not on the play store) the only way to get a virus or malware?

Could visiting a webpage, or clicking a link in an email potentially give you a virus or malware?

Yes, pretty much.. Android has a security feature which block installation from external source by default but it can be enabled and i don't recommend doing that.

So, if you visit a website which has the malware all it can do is trick you into downloading but cannot install on its own.

Also, play store is getting more and more secure. few months ago Google introduced a feature in store called as Bouncer which scan the market for malicious programs..

sure it has its ups and down but Google is improving it. all it need is a little more time.

**jean15paul** · 08-16-2012, 02:26 PM

To piggyback on what's been said. Android tells you everytime it downloads or installs something, so you don't need to worry about having malware installed without realizing it like on a PC.

The big risk is when you install apps that aren't from trusted markets (the Play Store and the Amazon App Store are the big ones). Install something that not from the play store is called "sideloading". There's an option that says "don't allow installation from unknown sources" that controls whether or not you can sideload or not. By default you can't. The only issue is even to install something from a trusted market like the Amazon App Store is considered sideloading and you have to disable that security setting. But it still informs you whenever it's installing something so you still don't have anything to worry about.

That being said, many of the security programs have other good features besides just anti-malware. For example I use Lookout, not because I'm worried about Malware but because they offer lost device location services using your phone's GPS. You can sound a siren on a lost or stolen phone. And you can even remotely wipe a stolen phone. IMO, those services are much more valuable than the virus scanning.

**eddiea** · 08-16-2012, 02:53 PM

There are several solid security suites for Android. Give Comodo a try...it's extremely light on resources, has minimal battery usage, and it's free. It has tons of options and very useful features that are often found only in paid apps.