Antivirus on Android

[Android Central Question]

Hi! I was wondering if I have McAfee mobile security on my Android do I need a separate antimalware app like on PC(malwarebytes for example) or the antivirus app acts as both?

 

[hallux]

I don't use either of those kinds of apps. As long as you only install from trusted sources (I stick to the Amazon App Store and the Google Play Store) and disregard unexpected pop-ups on web pages there is a near-zero need for those kinds of apps.

If you need additional help or have more questions or details to share, please join the site so you can reply in this thread. See this link for instructions on how to join Android Central.

 

[Mooncatt]

I don't use either of those kinds of apps. As long as you only install from trusted sources (I stick to the Amazon App Store and the Google Play Store) and disregard unexpected pop-ups on web pages there is a near-zero need for those kinds of apps.

Ditto.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! For the most part, it's still quite difficult to get an actual virus on your phone, because malware requires you to manually accept the installation (which is why they try to fool you into thinking you're installing something legitimate). Use common sense:

1. Avoid shady websites that deal with things like porn, gambling, and "free" (aka pirated) apps/music/movies.


2. Never ever tap on a link that appears in a popup while browsing, especially if they're warning you that your phone is infected -- they're just trying to scare you into installing some bogus "antivirus" app that is probably malicious itself.


3. Only install apps from well-established app sources like Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore. Read a bunch of app reviews before installing an app to look for any complaints about adware or suspected malware.


4. Turn on Google Play Protect features in Settings>Google>Security. This allows Google to periodically scan your phone's apps to look for malware.


5. Turn off "Unknown Sources" in Settings>Security. This prevents any app that wasn't obtained from Google Play Store from being installed (which could include malicious apps that are inadvertently downloaded).

 

[stefanmz7]

Hello! I am logged in to my account now. I prefer to use one just in case. Because who knows I might open some dangerous website someday because I don't always open sites I know and sometimes I might need to install something out of the play store. So I prefer to have one just in case. So if I use one do I have to have a separate antimalware app or is one antivirus app enough? Also about Google Play protect I read it doesn't have such a good protection as McAfee or something similar. And it doesn't have a good score on AV test. What do you think about having an antivirus and antimalware at the same time. Is it necessary? Also what do you think about Google play protect and that stuff that I said about it?