Droid X need anti-virus?

[richtree]

I saw spyware running on my phone, but I don't think it can be successful because the malware/spyware scripts are all built for windows/ie.


A simple battery bull solved the problem. Then I did notice the market has an anti-virus app.

Should we download this?


Also, in an unrelated note, after a google image search how can I click(save) image?

thanks

 

[g1toevo678]

How did you find out the spyware was running on your phone? I don't know enough about it to say but I think I read somewhere that it wasnt necessary.

I think the update solved the issue of being able to click on google image search results. Have you updated your phone?

 

[Tacom]

Are you sure it wasn't just an ad for an app?

 

[swest6602]

I use the Lookout app from the Market. Do we technicaaly need it? No clue, but I prefer safe to sorry. It runs a scan on all downloads, backs up my phone every night and has a web-based feature to track/lock/wipe and restore in case the phone is lost or stolen. I got it when I got my Droid last fall so cannot recall whether it is free or not, but I fell better having it on the phone. Moved it onto my X with no problem. It runs in the bacground and does not interfere with your normal activities or cause battery issues. You will notice a slight pause when you install an app and it is scanned, but otherwise you won't t even notice it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[mflynn]

I saw spyware running on my phone,

Spyware, really - how did you find that? Are you running some sort of app to check which apps phone home?

 

[mclarryjr]

You don't have to worry about any spyware as of now

 

[bucky716]

There is no "spyware" or "viruses" for phones at this time like there is on a computer. The antivirus/spyware protection apps that are in the market are pointless. The minute there is a real threat you can bet it'll be all over every major site.

 

[Dubbayoo]

Since Android is Linux based I'd be surprised if it had virii or spyware.

 

[richtree]

There is no "spyware" or "viruses" for phones at this time like there is on a computer. The antivirus/spyware protection apps that are in the market are pointless. The minute there is a real threat you can bet it'll be all over every major site.

You know the pop ups that pretend they are running a anti-virus scan...

I clicked on something bad and they kept trying to run on the top-bar but failed...

I know it isn't "running" so to speak, but it was trying to download it self...

 

[zachflauaus]

Like you would see on a PC? It wouldn't even be able to run because the common file type of those spyware programs is .exe which is not able to be read (much less downloaded natively) on Android.

 

[Topweasel]

That's not spyware or adware. You should just be able to make sure your homepage is swapped back to a normal page and reboot the OS. Wipe cookies to if you want to be really safe.

 

[me09]

Hi.I do not think that viruses intaled on phones are pointless.I am using Kasperky antivirus Best Antivirus - reviews and download and i have no problems with threats
wish you good luck

 

[.46caliber]

Since Android is Linux based I'd be surprised if it had virii or spyware.

Unlike Linux, there aren't an untold number of distros of Android. That means a virus can be written that will work on more than just a handful of devices. Since Android has become so popular, we may begin to see some malicious software.

Just yesterday, Android Central ran an article about a Trojan spotted in the wild for guess what? Android!
http://www.androidcentral.com/android-trojan-found-wild

A few recommendations:

1) Turn off the ability to download 3rd party apps unless you need it. Turn it on to load an app you need that is off market, then turn it back off when you're done.

2) Read the reviews on the market.

3) Read what permissions the app needs.

4) Examine file size. The article had a great example. If you find a video player that is only 13kb, then it's probably not a real video player.

Anti-virus may be needed for the Android phones in the future, but it is not imperative yet. Stay away from the seedy sides of the internet and read before you download. That will go a long way in protecting your phone and your monthly bill.

 

[greydarrah]

If your worried about viruses, I don't know why you would install Lookout. It's an award winning free app that has a 5 star rating with almost 30,000 downloads. In addition to scanning for viruses, it also has a feature to display the location of your phone on a map if you ever lose it, or it gets stolen. Seems pretty cool, and no, I don't work for them.

 

[Jigmeister]

Unlike Linux, there aren't an untold number of distros of Android. That means a virus can be written that will work on more than just a handful of devices. Since Android has become so popular, we may begin to see some malicious software.

Just yesterday, Android Central ran an article about a Trojan spotted in the wild for guess what? Android!
http://www.androidcentral.com/android-trojan-found-wild

A few recommendations:

1) Turn off the ability to download 3rd party apps unless you need it. Turn it on to load an app you need that is off market, then turn it back off when you're done.

2) Read the reviews on the market.

3) Read what permissions the app needs.

4) Examine file size. The article had a great example. If you find a video player that is only 13kb, then it's probably not a real video player.

Anti-virus may be needed for the Android phones in the future, but it is not imperative yet. Stay away from the seedy sides of the internet and read before you download. That will go a long way in protecting your phone and your monthly bill.

As a veteran of the IT Security field, .46caliber is absolutely correct. Are you like to be infected right now? Not really but it is possible. Will it be more likely in 6 months? A year? I believe it will be cause the people that do this kind of thing have a great platform (Android and it's high visibility) to conquer.

The same thing holds true if you run Linux/Unix/Mac (Unix based) operating systems on your computers. I run a/v on my Mac and PC and I'll run the best I can find on my Droid X. "An ounce of prevention...."