Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware Software On This Phone?...

[PsychDoc]

...I've read somewhere that this is really not an issue with android phones. This article (Why You Should Do More to Secure Your Smartphone - DailyFinance) seems to suggest otherwise.

Any opinions about whether or not to install such software on our phones. And if it's recommended, what anti-virus software would you suggest?

 

[Sara Di]

Verizon has antivirus software already installed on their phones. Not sure about other carriers.

 

[PsychDoc]

Verizon has antivirus software already installed on their phones. Not sure about other carriers.

Interesting. Never heard that before. Have a link for that?

Sent from my SM-G900V using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Cobravision]

Unless you are sideloading cracked apps from dodgy app stores (Chinese or otherwise), there is no need for anti-virus apps. You know who thinks you do? Companies that sell anti-virus apps.

 

[_Zguy__]

I put lookout on my phones and it is good peace of mind and checks weekly for bugs

 

[Greg C]

The chances of getting a virus on your Android phone are very very slim. So long as you don't download apps from shady sites you won't have a problem. It's objective...some people swear by anti-virus software and others don't. Most of the anti-virus apps also include a way to locate a lost phone and remotely wipe the device. If it makes YOU feel better than certainly use one. I never use anti-virus apps and I have never had an issue.

 

[bembol]

I remember asking back when I first switched to android was told they do more harm than good. I can't remember exact details but it had something to do with system hog?

Seriously has there been news where android phones were effected?

SHIFT_pro s5

 

[Greg C]

I believe it had something to do with using RAM and battery to run in the background. I tried a few and none ever caused any issues.

I remember asking back when I first switched to android was told they do more harm than good. I can't remember exact details but it had something to do with system hog?

Seriously has there been news where android phones were effected?

SHIFT_pro s5

 

[sonyman7]

Check out these articles regarding how unsafe phones running on Android really are.

US government says Android is a malware magnet:
US government says Android is a malware magnet thanks to OS fragmentation | The Verge

Google Play removes apps due to malware:
Google removes 32 apps from Google Play over malware concerns | Android Central

 

[fanaticalism]

Check out these articles regarding how unsafe phones running on Android really are.

US government says Android is a malware magnet:
US government says Android is a malware magnet thanks to OS fragmentation | The Verge

Google Play removes apps due to malware:
Google removes 32 apps from Google Play over malware concerns | Android Central

You really signed up to troll with this uneducated post?

Link

Just like every other person who uses these types of articles to strike fear, it seems as if you didn't bother to read them yourself. Please read my links and post so you can educate yourself.

 

[Sara Di]

Interesting. Never heard that before. Have a link for that?

Sent from my SM-G900V using AC Forums mobile app

It's called VZ Protect and it came installed on my phone. Here's an article about it: Verizon Wireless Launches Mobile Security App For Android? To Help Customers Beef Up Protection

That one is old, but gives you an overview

 

[Relgoshan]

Not even Kit Kat has the correct exposed controls for a true Windows-like anti virus software, so there's a limit to what any security apk can manage. I don't even bother. Identify browsers as desktop and avoid all m. , .mobi , and similar crippled trash sites. Always know the source of your apk and be double cautious of anything free. Triple cautious of anything with in app billing or access to calling.

A while back the excuse I heard was if the APIs for anti virus were exposed, someone would just write a virus and market it as a trojan horse....and it would probably be able to block uninstall by closing the network ports for Google remote uninstall.....due to elevated control.

 

[Rev2010]

In four years of using Android phones and two years using an iPhone I've never once used or needed Antivirus software installed. But I'm an IT tech for a living so I'm not some dufuss that clicks links in emails from spammers and such.

 

[sjaduae]

I use AVG on my PC and on my S5 and they are not a little app developer

Try the free version and see

I liked it as the data use function was better than the standard

 

[1Coopgt]

Norton Anti Virus on my phone .

 

[Relgoshan]

I use AVG on my PC and on my S5 and they are not a little app developer

Try the free version and see

I liked it as the data use function was better than the standard

AVG >>> NOPE. Get out while you can, these guys have a bad track record.

 

[mchi5]

On my Note 3 I use McAfee Antivirus. Very well know. And they recently went free. With in app purchases of course

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk

 

[sjaduae]

AVG >>> NOPE. Get out while you can, these guys have a bad track record.

I've used them for over 10 years since the last time I got a virus that Norton did not detect or could fix, each to there own

 

[Relgoshan]

I've used them for over 10 years since the last time I got a virus that Norton did not detect or could fix, each to there own

That just means you have good habits, I've had to clean so many PCs running AVG.

 

[Rev2010]

That just means you have good habits, I've had to clean so many PCs running AVG.

In my experience at an IT tech for a living AVG is far superior to others like Symantec. Nothing is perfect or 100% however.

Rev.