Anti-virus software - is it recommended or necessary?

[PsychDoc]

I have it on my home and office computers but I've never installed any 3rd party software like this on any android phone that I've owned.

I'm asking now because I recently renewed my Norton anti-virus protection on my PC's and in the Amazon comments about this product, a number of people mentioned that they're using it on their phones too.

I never considered doing this, so I was wondering if anyone else thinks this is needed or advisable for android phones.

 

[phone-a-holic]

I used to have one many years ago. I decided it was needed much. Recent months with spam calls and phishing emails/text, I have been looking at Norton again.

 

[PsychDoc]

I ran this by Perplexity AI and this what it said so I think I'll probably pass as it doesn't seem to be needed under any reasonably normal circumstances -

You usually do not need a third‑party antivirus on a modern Android like the S26 Ultra if you install apps only from the Play Store and use basic caution, but extra security can be useful in riskier scenarios.����What Android and Samsung already provideAndroid includes Google Play Protect, which scans all apps on your device daily (including sideloaded ones), looks for harmful behavior, and can automatically block or remove known-malicious apps.��Google reports Play Protect now achieves very high malware detection scores in independent testing, and it continuously updates from Google’s cloud.��Samsung adds its own Knox security and secure enclave (Knox Vault / Personal Data Engine) on the S26 Ultra to encrypt sensitive data and harden the system and firmware.���When antivirus is not really necessaryIf all of these apply, a separate antivirus app is usually optional rather than essential:You only install apps from Google Play and reputable vendors.��You rarely use unknown public Wi‑Fi and avoid obviously sketchy links or attachments.�You do not sideload apps from random websites or stores.��In that situation, the built‑in protections plus common‑sense habits generally offer enough protection for most people.When antivirus can be a good ideaSecurity companies and some experts recommend an Android AV app in higher‑risk cases:���You often sideload apps (APK files) from outside the Play Store.You frequently use public or open Wi‑Fi, travel a lot, or connect to many unknown networks.You handle sensitive work data or do a lot of mobile banking and want extra web‑filtering/phishing protection.You like features such as anti‑theft tools, URL blocking for malicious sites, or stronger scanning than Play Protect alone.�����Independent tests have long shown that some third‑party security apps can detect more malware samples than Play Protect by itself, especially in older studies.��Practical recommendation for your S26 UltraIf you’re careful (Play Store only, cautious browsing, no shady APKs), you can safely rely on Google Play Protect plus Samsung Knox and skip separate antivirus for now.�����If you plan to sideload apps, use a lot of public Wi‑Fi, or just want a safety net, install a well‑rated, lightweight security app from a reputable vendor that scores highly in independent Android tests.����A good middle ground: periodically run an on‑demand scan with a trusted AV app (then disable always‑on scanning if you notice performance impact), while keeping Play Protect enabled and your phone fully updated.����

 

[mustang7757]

In All my years on Android I never felt a need for it, for a computer definitely.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Android is a type of Linux. I've never used antivirus on any device running Linux, whether Android phones/tablets or desktop computers. I've only used antivirus on Windows PCs.

 

[donm527]

I used Bitdefender app for many years. I just used my Google Rewards money to pay for the sub every year. I did it for peace of mind and no harm/performance issue running in background. It's never detected an issue in probably 4+ years so I feel pretty secure not needing it and removed it last year. I pretty much don't sideload apps so I think I'm ok.

 

[Talderon]

I have worked Corporate IT for 30+ years and here is what I have seen as of late:

• I will NEVER EVER EVER install McAffee or Norton products on anything I own, EVER.
  • They are bloated, eat system resources like candy and just trash for what you pay for
• Work and home PC's are running Windows 11... I use MS Defender
  • When I worked at Microsoft, this is what they used and they got rid of other products (they were a McAffee shop)
  • I have used Defender and only Defender since Windows 8 and never had any issues
• If you are looking for something lightweight so you don't have to rely on MSFT, Bitdefender
  • Individual and family plans, covers multiple devices including Windows/MAC/Android/IOS
  • Lightweight and does not really impact performance (this is coming from a Gamer)
  • Reasonable prices and plenty of value add for the price

Keep in mind, my hatred of Norton and McAffee is my own, so I am not going to say that anyone that uses them are wrong, but for me, I would never touch products from them ever again.

edit: I don't use anything on my phones, forgot to mention that.