Threat For Real?

[chesterdawg]

So short version = I've always read that AV software is not needed for Android. That AV software for Android is just more malware in of itself.
I work for a large hospital and IT sent out an email to all employees, Quoted below. I download the app and sure enough My V10 has 4 "issues" when I click on them they read vulnerabilities regarding Android and various Linux problems that could allow others to exploit your device.
And of course the solution is to download Zone Alarm or Comodo for Android???

Here's the email:
======
"A recent flaw in the Android operating system was announced yesterday. This flaw impacts 900 million Android phones, including the newly released Galaxy S7 and several of the Google Nexus devices. The vulnerability would allow someone to gradually take control over your device and give them complete access to your phone’s data.

If you would like to analyze if your phone is susceptible to this vulnerability, Checkpoint, the security vendor NGHS is migrating our firewall services to has provided an App in the Google Play Store. Available here https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...s?id=com.checkpoint.quadrooter&token=J5cnvCPx

If you find your phone is vulnerable here are two applications (listed below) that would prevent your phone from being taken over."

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...point.zonealarm.mobilesecurity&token=Nfw4tNyH Supports Android 4.2 and up (free for 30 days)
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...?id=com.comodo.cisme.antivirus&token=-d7Bci2f - Supports Android 4.0.3 and up (free for unlimited time)
===========

I don't us AV apps on my Androids and plan to continue that. Just look for confirmation.

Thanks

Steve

 

[kramer5150]

If its the quadrooter scare they are reacting to...
Here are the details regarding it. Read through it and the discussions, understand your device and your usage and make the call is it really that threatening to you.

For me, my usage, my device configuration its a non-issue completely.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-news-discussion/709130-let-s-talk-about-quadrooter.html

 

[chesterdawg]

That's what I was hoping. Thanks for the info & link.

Steve

 

[dryja123]

Your hospital IT department was nice for sending out that PSA. They don't allow personal devices to be used with enterprise email and applications, right?

 

[DroidFromVA]

Use a legit A/V application from a legit company. Many A/V applications on Android are in fact questionable. There are only a few big names in A/V, so get some protection from one of them.

 

[chesterdawg]

correct

 

[chesterdawg]

Use a legit A/V application from a legit company. Many A/V applications on Android are in fact questionable. There are only a few big names in A/V, so get some protection from one of them.

I use Bit Defender on PC but nothing on Androids. As you say they all seem to be more bloatware/spyware...

 

[Aquila]

I would consider that email spam. At best it's misleading, at worse they're exploiting FUD.