galaxy nexus virus protection

[chenn001]

I know this may have been covered already, but i am new to android. I am coming from an Iphone and excited to see how this nexus and android really is. My question and worry is should i get avg or lookout for a virus protection or something. I mean it just kind of worries me when i'm checking my bank account on my phone yanno and i never felt this way with my iphone. Could someone give me some advice or if i'm just worrying for nothing?

 

[kesnik]

Its not needed unless you install apps from unknown sources. If you are going to use virus protection I suggest you keep an eye on this app:

http://go.eset.com/us/beta/mobile-security-for-android

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[whthotg8]

I know this may have been covered already, but i am new to android. I am coming from an Iphone and excited to see how this nexus and android really is. My question and worry is should i get avg or lookout for a virus protection or something. I mean it just kind of worries me when i'm checking my bank account on my phone yanno and i never felt this way with my iphone. Could someone give me some advice or if i'm just worrying for nothing?

This is what I am getting.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=89990.0

It looks like the beta is available now Here. Sounds like it will be a very good option.

 

[MRW1215]

I don't think you really have to worry much about it, either way. I don't think Android can get the same kind of "viruses" as computers can (i.e. from browsing bad websites or downloading shady attachments and files from the Internet), though I could be wrong. I was under the impression most "viruses" for Android come from nasty apps that people aren't careful enough about watching out for. As long as you don't download the super obvious malware apps (usually things that have to do with porn, and whatnot), as well as make sure to read app reviews and ratings before installing, you shouldn't really run into "viruses", as far as I know.

 

[hyperdude]

One of the simplest ways to avoid malware is to only install apps from Android Market, and only those that have good reviews AND show lots of users have installed it. Don't install apps that have 0 ratings and just appeared in the Market.

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[CynicX]

Its not needed unless you install apps from unknown sources. If you are going to use virus protection I suggest you keep an eye on this app:

ESET Beta Program - Free antivirus software beta testing

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

The android market isn't as highly policed as the iTunes market. Most don't but you should always look at the permissions an app needs....

I use Norton and avg in pure honeycomb. I'm going to keep the first one that actually finds a problem which neither have. Avg will scan an app upon its download and both use very low resourses...Norton used .2 CPU and avg has used 0.0% an hour ago...

 

[PJnc284]

Nothing beats common sense. Most people that get any sort of malware are pretty much asking for it trying to install warez or odd stuff in the market.

 

[iBowToAndroid]

I know this may have been covered already, but i am new to android. I am coming from an Iphone and excited to see how this nexus and android really is. My question and worry is should i get avg or lookout for a virus protection or something. I mean it just kind of worries me when i'm checking my bank account on my phone yanno and i never felt this way with my iphone. Could someone give me some advice or if i'm just worrying for nothing?

1. Just because you're accessing the internet from a different device and a different OS, doesn't mean it's a different internet. All sites for banking or anything that requires personal info are all encrypted - no worries there.

2. It's virtually impossible to get a virus on Android. In the first place, it would have to be a virus written for Linux, and you just don't see those. In the second place, even if it were possible, you wouldn't get it unless you were doing something you know you shouldn't - going on shady sites, downloading suspect apps, installing apps that you download from the web without knowing what they are..

It's all about common sense. Do yourself a favor and save yourself the system resources and battery that comes with having an anti-virus app.

 

[mozy]

Here is another thread on this topic: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...620-anti-virus-software-rooting-question.html

The consensus is they are not needed and don't download and open an app that your not confident is malware free.

 

[Holsum]

Don't download antivirus for android it is like getting it for the iPhone its pointless. Its just extra resources you are taking up that will just drain your battery that much more

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[pool_shark]

Don't download antivirus for android it is like getting it for the iPhone its pointless. Its just extra resources you are taking up that will just drain your battery that much more

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I agree that antivirus software is not "needed", but I disagree that they take up extra resources and use more battery. They only actually do any work when you install an app, when you schedule it, or when you run it manually.

I used to run lookout. I ran the top command and showed screenshots proving that it was always at the bottom of the list with regard to cpu utilization.

 

[CynicX]

Some of you guys are crazy. Google just pulled 22 apps from THEIR ANDROID MARKET on Dec 11th because they contained malware that would send a SMS to a premium phone thus billing the end user.

Google didn't even find this stuff, security firms informed Google who then took action.

Don't confused the app store with the android market. One is a police state while the other is the wild west.

Its silly to think that a you have a device that uses software and can't have malicious software (malware).

Only way I think you can really be safe is to research every single app before downloading, Google searches, forums, etc. Then verify the app is by the correct author, correct build etc. Then download....since that is a pita for me to get angry birds I'll just use a anti malware app...

 

[pool_shark]

Some of you guys are crazy. Google just pulled 22 apps from THEIR ANDROID MARKET on Dec 11th because they contained malware that would send a SMS to a premium phone thus billing the end user.

Google didn't even find this stuff, security firms informed Google who then took action.

Don't confused the app store with the android market. One is a police state while the other is the wild west.

Its silly to think that a you have a device that uses software and can't have malicious software (malware).

Only way I think you can really be safe is to research every single app before downloading, Google searches, forums, etc. Then verify the app is by the correct author, correct build etc. Then download....since that is a pita for me to get angry birds I'll just use a anti malware app...

The thing is those malware apps aren't detected until the virus apps are updated to detect the apps after they were discovered to be malicious.

 

[CynicX]

The thing is those malware apps aren't detected until the virus apps are updated to detect the apps after they were discovered to be malicious.

I don't disagree with this. However if it is then it will catch it.

According to watchdog both Norton and Avg combined are using 0% CPU and about 30meg of ram....aka nothing. Avg scans every download on and off market.

Peace of mind if nothing else...And they do get updated somewhat frequently. I say somewhat because a lot of my other apps have been updating more recently but I think that's due to ICS compatibility.

 

[KoukiFC3S]

I'm using lookout. They are the ones who informed google of the malicious apps on the market.

I also set it to scan at night, when my phone is most likely charging.

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