Antivirus recommendations for Android?

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kUD

27 posts

Geek

#78560 4-Mar-2011 09:06

I just read this article about spyware on your smartphone:
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/378224/more_mobile_spyware_hits_android/

What anti-virus do you run, on what handset, and what's the impact on the phone's performance and battery life?

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152 posts

Master Geek
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#445404 4-Mar-2011 09:23

I use AVG on my lowly Vodafone 845 - seems fine, runs well,

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#445408 4-Mar-2011 09:28

Yeah I have AVG as well seems to be ok. Scans everything like downloads and even mp3s but as I haven't seen it flag anything up yet I only assume it works as it is supposed to.

DLS

lokhor

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#445418 4-Mar-2011 09:54

Meh@Antivirus, I only install Market apps and nothing dodgy so I don't worry.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

edge

edge
425 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#445436 4-Mar-2011 10:18

Like Lokhor I try and be careful about what I install. Perhaps unlike Lokhor I'm not so certain that this is all that is required

? On that cautious basis I run "Lookout" and "ES security". They do not seem to affect performance (although, as always, that is a very subjective statement!). I have not had any "infection" problems either, but being a scientist (of sorts!) I would in no way like to ascribe any cause and effect relationship between those two statements!!! But, it gives me some peace of mind and I guess that's what counts, at least until they possibly fail and I have to revisit the whole scenario

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

billgates

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#445442 4-Mar-2011 10:27

lokhor: Meh@Antivirus, I only install Market apps and nothing dodgy so I don't worry.

DroidDreamvirus hits 50+ apps on Android Marketplace

http://www.neowin.net/news/droiddream-virus-hits-50-apps-on-android-marketplace

The virus came via the android market and there is no way to tell if it's dodgy because google does not have an app approval process unlike microsoft and apple.

Do whatever you want to do man.

nakedmolerat

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#445449 4-Mar-2011 10:59

dont root your phone

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Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#445452 4-Mar-2011 11:10

nakedmolerat: dont root your phone

Worst Android advice ever

.
Rooting my HTC Desire was the best thing I ever did to it.

I beleive the iPhone App Store also had malicious apps slipped though recently and took a while before they were removed.

DLS

lokhor

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#445453 4-Mar-2011 11:11

I am rooted and haven't had issues. I haven't downloaded any of the games in that list either, a lot of them look chinese or have the word sex in the title. I think it's pretty obvious that those are semi dodgy apps in the first place.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

billgates

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#445462 4-Mar-2011 11:31

Kiwi1971:
nakedmolerat: dont root your phone

Worst Android advice ever .
Rooting my HTC Desire was the best thing I ever did to it.

I beleive the iPhone App Store also had malicious apps slipped though recently and took a while before they were removed.

DLS

Never heard or read about any apple apps that was malicious and made it's way to the app store.

There has only ever been 1 reported way back in 2009.

http://virus.netqin.com/en/iphone/

Do whatever you want to do man.

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#445464 4-Mar-2011 11:47

billgates:

Never heard or read about any apple apps that was malicious and made it's way to the app store.

There has only ever been 1 reported way back in 2009.

http://virus.netqin.com/en/iphone/

I may have been mis remembering the story about the hacker last year who had 30+ of the top 50 apps but this was account hacking rather than malicious code.

Remove "recently" from my reply in that case, it still happened and the Android market is relatively new I'm sure it will get tighter, it just has to. That iphone app got through years after the app store opened so nothing is perfect. In which case the answer for the OP is probably worth getting some kind of app scanner.

I'm surprosed that Google hasn't put out some free AV software, they seem to be into everything else.
Or have they?

DLS

Cyris

121 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#446122 6-Mar-2011 21:45

I personally use "Lookout Mobile AntiVirus"

Seems to work pretty well, alot of great features such as entire phone backup, lock stolen phone, track stolen phone etc..

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mrgsm021

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#446124 6-Mar-2011 21:48

I've got Lookout on my SGS, and have as yet had app being flagged for malware or virus, it scans all apps that are newly installed or updated and performs a complete system scan at random times (by setting).

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#446250 7-Mar-2011 12:39

I see that Google has remotely deleted the affected apps from users phones according to this article on MSNBC

Article Here

DLS

eXDee

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#446344 7-Mar-2011 16:06

lokhor: Meh@Antivirus, I only install Market apps and nothing dodgy so I don't worry.

This. Install apps only from trusted developers that have been around for a long time.
Running an antivirus on android i reckon wastes battery/cpu/io for some false sense of security.

kiwijunglist

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#446394 7-Mar-2011 18:56

There are more dodgey apps on the market

eg. Ringdroid by 248250
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.droid.ringtone&feature=search_result

seems to be an impersonator of Ringdroid by Ringdroid Team
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ringdroid&feature=search_result

If you look at 248250's apps
https://market.android.com/developer?pub=248250
they have quite a few apps that match other well known apps eg. Advanced Task Killer

Unfortunately you can't report 248250 to google as you have to install one of his apps first, and I'm not willing to risk that.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

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