Antivirus-necessary?

[dannyro77]

I'm using a pixel 3xl and haven't historically used an antivirus. Do you think I should be using one, and if so which is the best that won't slow down my phone?

 

[mustang7757]

I never use them , I feel they cause system lag or freezes more harm then good .

 

[Laura Knotek]

I never use any on Linux, and Android is a type of Linux. However, I do not visit dodgy sites or install shady apps outside of Play Store.

 

[B. Diddy]

Here's my usual spiel:

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 (or in the Play Store settings). This allows Google to periodically scan your phone's apps to look for malware.


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

 

[me just saying]

I never even considered getting one. IMO, it is not necessary. most major email services will scan your emails, and the play store checks for nasties.

 

[J Dubbs]

Here's my usual spiel:

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 (or in the Play Store settings). This allows Google to periodically scan your phone's apps to look for malware.


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

This is exactly what I do, and I've never had a single problem on any phone ever... regardless of whether it's still getting security updates or not. The way you use your phone is your best security update and antivirus. Antivirus programs unnecessarily slow down and glitch out your phone ;-)

 

[Mooncatt]

Here's a look at protections already in place and why antivirus on Android isn't a huge deal.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3411440/android-security-scares.html

 

[Rukbat]

If you run with debug enabled, the bootloader unlocked, a custom recovery, root or a custom ROM, regardless of where you go or what you do, you definitely need some kind of malware protection. Otherwise, and if you follow B. Diddy's suggestions, you don't.

 

[DurtyRotten]

Nice

 

[Golfdriver97]

I haven't run any antivirus software since the Galaxy S2.

 

[powerwindows]

Yes, I do. I also use an image analyzer. Because you will ALWAYS make a wrong turn or click on something you don't intend to. As we know shady sites and porn sites can have malware in them. I don't look at porn. But when I accidentally click on something, that is where I seem to end up.